UC-NRLF 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 
OF 


MAXIMILIAN 


Maximilian 

A    Play   in    Five   Acts   by 

Edgar    Lee  ^Masters 


Boston:    1902 

Richard    G.    Badger 

The    Gorham    Press 


Copyright    1902  by 
Edgar  Lee  Masters 

All   Rights  Reserved. 

Dramatic   Rights  Reserved. 


The  Gorham  Press,   Boston. 


MAIN 

THE  PERSONS  OF  THE  DRAMA 

FERDINAND    MAXIMILIAN   JOSEPH— Archduke 

of  Austria;  afterwards  Emperor    Maximilian  of 

Mexico. 
MARSHALL    BAZAINE— Head  of  the    army   of  the 

intervention. 
COLONEL  LOPEZ— Governor    of    the     Castle;     and 

Colonel  of  the  empress'  guards. 
PRINCE  SALM-SALM— A    friend    of  Maximilian  and 

in  his  service. 
GENERAL    MIRAMON— A    clerical;      and     Grand 

Marshall  under  Maximilian. 

GENERAL  MEJIA — Also  in  the  Imperial  service. 
ARCHBISHOP  LABASTIDA— A  clerical— and  friend 

of  the,  French  intervention. 

GENERAL  CASTLENAU— Envoy  of  Napoleon. 
DOCTOR  BASCH— Physician  to  Maximilian. 
BENITO  PUBLO  JUAREZ— President  of  the  Mexican 

republic. 

GENERAL  ESCOBEDO— In    the    service    of  the  re 
public. 
COLONEL  GOLLARDO— Also  in  the  service    of  the 

republic. 
GENERAL  SALAS,    PRINCE  ZICHY,    MARQUIS  DE  GALLIFET, 

COUNT  FUNFKIRCHEN — At  the  imperial  ball. 


MARIE  CHARLOTTE  AMELIA— Wife  of  Maximi 
lian,  Empress  of  Mexico. 

PRINCESS  JOSEFA — Daughter  of  Augustin  I.  former 
emperor  of  Mexico.  Member  of  the  Imperial 
Household,  and  friend  of  the  Empress. 

PRINCESS  SALM-SALM— Wife  of  the  prince  and  a 
friend  at  Court. 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Wife  of  General  Mariscali 
who  was  shot  under  the  Black  Decree. 

MLLE  DE  LA  PENA — Afterwards  Madam  Bazaine. 

SENORA  SALAS,    PRINCESS  ZICHY,   COUNTESS  FUNFKIRCHEN 

— Ladies  at  the  imperial  ball. 

Spies,  lackeys,  liberal  and  imperial  soldiers,  a  French 
captain,  a  priest,  women,  a  company  (ladies  and  gentle 
men)  at  the  imperial  ball,  etc. 

TIME    1866-67. 


Maximilian 


ACT  ONE 

jf    state  room  in  the  palace  of  Chapultepec,  Mexico. 

/J       Back  of  the  room  a  hall  way  divided  only  from 

^  ^        the    state    room    by    marble  pillars  supporting 

arches.  The  arches  are  draped  in  the  French 
and  Mexican  flags  and  at  their  base  banked  by  plants  and 
flowers.  At  the  rear  several  pyramids  of  ca?mon  balls, 
cannons  set  on  end  and  trophies  of  war,  such  as  flags, 
drums,  guns  and  bayonets.  At  the  left  in  the  state  room  a 
gorgeous  throne  resting  upon  French  cannon  and  set  under 
a  canopy  of  crimson  velvet.  The  Mexican  and  French 
coat  of  arms  are  displayed  on  the  expanse  above  the  arcade. 
Two  Liberal  soldiers  disguised  as  lackeys  are  discovered 
assisting  in  arranging  the  decorations.  At  the  rear  a  num 
ber  of  men  walking  to  and  fro  also  engaged  in  the  work. 
One  of  the  lackeys  takes  a  bunch  of  letters  and  starts  to 
lay  it  on  the  table  near  the  throne. 

FIRST  LACKEY — The  emperor's  mail. 

SECOND  LACKEY —  You  mean  his  majesty's. 


8  MAXIMILIAN 

FIRST  LACKEY — The  etiquette! 

SECOND  LACKEY —  Her  majesty  is  strict. 

I  know  the  code  of  etiquette  by  heart. 

FIRST  LACKEY — They'll   see  to-night  how  many    people 

blunder. 
SECOND  LACKEY — If  anyone    should    sneeze     within    the 

presence. 
FIRST  LACKEY — If    anyone     should     cough     within     the 

presence. 

SECOND  LACKEY — If    anyone     should  stir  a  hand  or  foot, 
Unless  the  time  is  opportune  to  do  it. 
FIRST  LACKEY —        No    matter  if  a  pin  sticks  in  the  head. 
SECOND  LACKEY — Until  the  tears  run  glistening  down  the 

cheek. 

FIRST  LACKEY — Or  even  if  one's  wig  should  get  awry. 
SECOND  LACKEY — No  one  can  laugh  or  even  wink  an  eye 
FIRST  LACKEY — Costumes,  ye  gods,  as  bright  as    Joseph's 

coat! 
SECOND  LACKEY — Swart     faces,  glittering     eyes,    demure 

expressions. 
FIRST  LACKEY — The  hands  that  fumble  and  the  feet    that 

trip. 

SECOND  LACKEY —          But  what's  the  mail? 
FIRST  LACKEY — (Looking   over    the    letters    and  putting 
them  on  the  table. ) 

The  Austrian  emperor! 
Napoleon — ah!   Could  we  but  open  this 

(  Looks  around  at  the  workmen  and 
servants  ) 

Some  news  of  benefit  to  take  Juarez ! 
SECOND  LACKEY — Caution ! 

FIRST  LACKEY — Not  now.      What  scrawls  the  others  are! 
SECOND  LACKEY — Good  fellow  listen — we    must    fly    this 

hour. 

FIRST  LACKEY — Must  fly? 
SECOND  LACKEY —  The  emperor  returns  to-night. 


MAXIMILIAN  9 

Then  look  at  this! 

(Brings   forth    a     large    poster  upon  which   are 
visible    the    words    Proclamation,   Death   to 
Liberals,  and  at  the  bottom  Maximilian. ) 
FIRST  LACKEY —  (Lays  the  letters  on  the  table] 

Heavens!  How  came  you  by  it? 

SECOND  LACKEY — Here  in  the  castle;  and  these  many  days, 
So  have  I  learned  since  finding  it  alarmed  me, 
The  country  has  been  blazoned  with  this  horror! 
FIRST  LACKEY — Watch  while  I  read: 
"The  Mexican  republic 
Has  ceased  to  be.     Juarez  is  no  more. 
All  honest  men  have  rallied  to  the  empire. 
Brigands  alone  resist  the  emperor. 
All  persons  even  adjudged  to  be  but  members 
Of  any  armed  band  shall  suffer  death 
In  four  and  twenty  hours.      Ah — ! 

SECOND  LACKEY —  Heard  you  no  one? 

FIRST  LACKEY —      {Listening    and   then  pointing    to  the 

servants.  ) 
Only  those  there. 

SECOND  LACKEY —  Come  on. 

\  FIRST  LACKEY —  I  do  not  fear 

lut  at  the  most  we'll  die  revenged.      My  country    \J       >*•/"* 
!For  centuries  the  foot-mat  of  the  Spaniard,  /YV' 

hese  many  years  the  prey  of  revolution.  f     fl  \\  A 

f  jjTorn  by  the  talons  of  the  northern  eagle,  »  ^4 

•Erring  and  struggling  for  self-government — 
•  Then  like  two  wrestlers  bent  upon  their  strife  Jjjr*' 

V  And  taken  unaware  amidst  their  toil 
»  Anon  comes  France  and  straps  upon  our  backs 
A  throne  for  Austria's  prince  to  sit  upon. 
SECOND  LACKEY—  (With  scorn) 

"Brigands  alone  resist  the  emperor." 
FIRST  LACKEY — In  truth,  you  see,  the  logic  is  resistless 
The  gluttonous  eye  of  empire  spied  our  country, 


TO  MAXIMILIAN 

The  brandished  sword  of  France  put  us  to  rout, 

And  pricked  this  Maximilian  in  the  coat-tails 

To  carry  him  to  an  imperial  throne. 

Of  course,  I  say,  all  men  are  thieves  and   cut-throats 

Who  have  withstood  the  will  of  God. 

SECOND  LACKEY —  You  rave! 

FIRST  LACKEY — Meantime  if  we  are  captured  with  this 

paper 
We  will  be  food  for  vultures! 

Do  you  see 

Even  our  president  is  marked  for  death. 
SECOND  LACKEY — What's  death?     For   I  have  muttered 

o'er  the  word 

Until  its  meaning  has  been  sapped.      Go  live 
For  forty  years  and  fight  for  principle, 
And  fall  into  that  soldier  quietism 
Which  those  who  fought,  alone  can  learn  to  know — 
Experience  ties  the  tongue. 

FIRST  LACKEY —  We  shall  be  free! 

SECOND     LACKEY — Be    calm.      Come    on.      Let's    reach 

the  president. 

He  must  be  notified  of  all  we  know. 
After  we  leave  the  city  we  are  safe 
Here  only  is  the  snake  of  empire  coiled 
Petted  and  fed  by  Miramon  and  priest-craft. 
FIRST  LACKEY — Some  one  approaches  from  the  hall. 
SECOND  LACKEY  {Pointi?ig  to  a  room  near  the 
throne. ) — 

Through  there! 

FIRST  LACKEY — How  can  we  leave? 
SECOND  LACKEY —  Our  horses  wait. 

FIRST  LACKEY —  'Tis  planned? 

SECOND    LACKEY — Relays  have  been  arranged  at  twenty 

miles. 
FIRST     LACKEY — This  must  be  left,   not  carried  on  our 

persons. 


MAXIMILIAN  u 

SECOND     LACKEY — Then  tuck  it   'neath  the  cushions  of 

the  throne 
And  also  this   (Handing  him  a  paper) 

Although  you  overlook 
Our  very  flight  betrays  us  who  we  are 
Be  quick  and  come. 

(  The  second  lackey  places  both  papers  under  the  cushion.  ) 
FIRST  LACKEY — They're  at  the  entrance  now. 

(  Exeunt. ) 

(  Enter  Bazaine  and  Lopez. ) 
BAZAINE — And  so  his  majesty  returns  to-night. 
LOPEZ — Who  was  it  went  out  there? 
BAZAINE —  You  seem  alarmed. 

LOPEZ — Were  they  not  lackeys? 

BAZAINE —  Well,  if  they  were  lackeys? 

LOPEZ — They  are  forbidden  to  pass  out  that  way. 
BAZAINE — You  are  a  zealous  governor  of  the  castle. 
They  say  you  keep  an  eager  supervision 
Over  the  smallest  details  of  the  court; 
Bumping  the  heads  of  butlers,  stewards,  maids, 
And  doling  out  the  perquisites  of  wine 
To  faithful  ones;   enforcing  etiquette; 
And  all  the  while  keeping  the  empress's  guards 
Fit  for  the  show  of  the  imperial  city. 
So  adding  medals  to  your  coat  of  honor — 
Which  can  be  changed  to  suit  the  change  of  power. 
LOPEZ — Your  excellency  jests.    (He  goes  to  the  door.} 

This  way  they  went. 

BAZAINE —  (  Going  up    to    the   table.  ) 

I  fain  would  read  them.  (Handles  the  letters.) 

Get  behind  me,  Satan. 
My  master's  letter — no,  I  can  resist  it. 
And  Joseph's  too,  I  hate  the  German  script. 
Petitions,  heavens!   insupportable! — 
Ah!  here  is  one  writ  in  an  awkward  scrawl. 

(He  places  it  back,  walks  away.) 


12  MAXIMILIAN 

LOPEZ,  {Observing  him} — I'm  thunderstruck. 

BAZAINE —  Bring  me  that  letter  Lopez. 

LOPEZ — Your  pardon  excellency. 

BAZAINE —  It  is  my  master 

Likewise  the  master  of  your  master  Lopez 

Who  thus  commands  you. 

LOPEZ —  You  must  pardon  me. 

BAZAINE — 'Tis  I  who  made  you  governor  of  the  casrle 

And  Colonel  of  the  empress's  guards.      In  truth 

'Twas  not  the  least  deception  that  I  played 

When  I  protested  to  the  emperor 

"Your  majesty"  I  bow  "  'twas  not  this  Lopez 

Who  turned  a  traitorous  back  on  Santa  Anna" 

And  this  despite  your  enemies. 

LOPEZ  {With  emotion.} —  I  thank  you — 

The  emperor  knows  of  me? 

BAZAINE —  But  disbelieves  it, 

Through  my  assurances.      Bring  me  the  letter. 

If  I  should  bow  to-night  before  this  throne 

And  say:  "Your  majesty,  I  crave  your  pardon, 

I  was  in  error."      Will  you  bring  the  letter? 

"My  service  makes  the  truth  imperative 

1  have  learned  different  of  this  Colonel  Lopez" 

I'd  like  to  see  that  letter  if  you  please — 

"Of  course  your  majesty  'tis  my  belief 

'Tis  hard  to  trust  one  who  betrays  a  cause. 
And  so,  though  I  regret  it,  Colonel  Lopez 
Should  not  control  the  castle,  nor  command 
The  guards;  but  should  be  given  common   service 
Where  time  may  test  his  virtues."      Yes  the  letter. 

(Lopez  brings  it  to 
him. ) 

I  thank  you  Lopez — 

LOPEZ —  And  I  wash  my  hands. 

{Bazaine  tears  it  open  and  reads  it,  then  laughs 
and  hands  it  to 


MAXIMILIAN  13 

LOPEZ — (Reads')  "Beware  Bazaine,  beware  the  treacher 
ous  Lopez." 

BAZAINE — How  fortunate!  two  pigeons  killed  at  once. 
Sweet  messages  hauled  from  the  mid-most  heaven — 
To  hell  with  him  who  wrote  it.      Hugh,  'tis  little 
That  I  am  moved  for  what  it  says  of  me: 
He  trusts  me  or  he  falls;  or  falls  and  trusts  me. 
The  end  is  near  whoever  stands  or  flys. 
Now  put  it  back. 

LOPEZ —  Unsealed  r 

BAZAINE —  I'll  fasten  it. 

(He  does  so.} 

LOPEZ—  My  master  will  know  all — 
BAZAINE —  Oh  childish  mind — 

The  empire  needs  you  for  your  face  and  figure. 
When  even  General  Mendez  told  your  master 
Touching  your  history — in  which  republic? 
And  I  o'ercame  him.      Why  then  blanch  for  this 
From  some  vile  gossip  who  conceals  his  name? 
Who  has  not  changed,  or  here  in  Mexico 
Been  renegade  to  some  one?      Even  he, 
Old  Santa  Anna  whose  uplifting  cause 
Ceased  once  to  interest  you — to  put  it  mildly, 
Before  your  day  had  kicked  Iturbide, 
Who    had    kicked     whom?        The     line     fades     in     the 

distance. 

And  think  Iturbide' s  child,  this  same  Josefa, 
Who's  made  a  member  of  the  royal  household 
And  languishes  in  sunshine — hates  the  name 
Of  Santa  Anna  and  your  own  must  love 
By  that  same  spirit  of  hate.      I  saw  this  letter 
And  smelt  its  Spanish  malice  by  the  scrawl — 
Go  put  it  back. 

( Lopez  pla ces  it  on  the  table  and  in  doing  so  dis 
covers  the  papers  which  stick  from  the  cushion  on 
the  throne  chair. ) 


i4  MAXIMILIAN 

LOPEZ —  What's  this? 

(  He  unfolds  it. ) 

BAZAINE —  The  black  decree! 

LOPEZ — (Unfolds    the    other.}     Juarez's    proclamation. 
Let  none  say 

Some  enemy  has  not  been  in  the  castle. 

I  know  it  now.      And  through  that  door  they  went. 
(Bazaine  takes  it  and  reads.} 

BAZAINE — "Our  cause    is  righteous.      Courage  country 
men 

The  prize  of  liberty  is  dearly  bought. 

Hold  up  the  nobler  ideals  of  the  soul, 

Be  true,  be  brave.      The  right  must  win  at  last." 

The  rebel  president — I  like  that  man 

And  he  will  win. 

LOPEZ —  What  shall  we  do — For  look 

The  proclamations  of  the  throne  are  treated 

Like  bills  of  auction. 

BAZAINE —  Well,  the  throne  was  up, 

And  struck  off  to  the  highest  bidder  Lopez; 

And  if  the  promised  payments  are  not  made 

It  may  be  sold  again. 

LOPEZ —  But  think  the  insult, 

To  tuck  and  fold  the  proclamations  thus, 

As  if  the  emperor  and  the  rebel  chief 

Were  rudely  bundled  so  and  put  away. 

Let's  catch  the  guilty  devil. 

BAZAINE —  Go  ahead 

'Twould  be  a  feather  in  your  cap  to  do  it. 

But  as  for  me  upon  whose  shoulders  rest 

The  weight  of  empire,  I  take  extra  duty 

In  humoring  the  emperor  to  believe 

He  is  the  very  soul  of  Charles  the  Fifth. 

But  let  me  tell  you  trifles  to  consider. 

Quarrels  rage  apace  between  the  allied  troops; 
The  treasury  of  the  empire  is  a  void. 


MAXIMILIAN  15 

The  northern  eagle  screams  and  flaps  his  wings 

Whereat  my  master  knits  his  brows  and  thinks. 

Meanwhile  the  emperor  dreams  of  wondrous  nayies^" 

Plans  boulevards,  and  drives,  and  parks  and  fountains, 

Builds  hospitals  and  churches;  helps  the  poor, 

Dips  in  the  sciences  and  poetry, 

Gives  audience  to  reports  on  agriculture, 

And  stalks  enwrapped  like  Kant  of  Heidelberg — 

While  old  Juarez  musters  freedom's  army 

Bastioned  behind  the  mountains  to  the  north. 

And  now  this  black  decree — 'tis  well  enough — 

But  Bonaparte  himself  should  execute  it. 

'Tis  like  a  brand  held  by  a  nerveless  arm 

'Twill  fall  and  burn  the  bearer.      Mind  the  word. 

LOPEZ — What  could  be  done? 

BAZAINE —  I  did  not  contravene  it; 

For  he  has  fenced  with  shadows  from  the  first, 

Nettled  to  madness  by  these  unseen  foes. 

Yet  once  translate  that  paper  into  action — 

And  every  man  will  stand  aghast.      Besides 

It  should  be  backed  by  an  unconquered  sword 

To  cut  to  death  that  spirit  of  keen  hate 

Which  will  arise  to  haunt  the  policy. 

The  policy?  The  studied  inquisition 

Which  takes  the  soldiers  of  a  worthy  foe 

And  brands  them  felons,  and  because  they're  branded 

Gives  them  a  felon's  death.      He  is  too  weak. 

LOPEZ — I  cannot  understand  your  policy. 

BAZAINE — Whence  came  this  empire?      From   Napoleon's 

brain. 

It  sprang  not  from  reaction,  that  you  know. 
What  keeps  it  standing  now?      Napoleon's  army 
And  not  a  peoples'  will,  why  else  the  army  ? 
Who  else  supports  the  throne,  yourself,  of  course, 
Estrada,  Miramon,  and  Labastida 
Who  hope  to  profit  through  the  holy  church. 


16  MAXIMILIAN 

Now  take  the  army  out,  where  is  the  empire? 

Estrange  the  clericals,  what  have  you  left? 

A  bit  of  colored  glass  shifts  in  the  tube 

And  what  a  different  picture  in  time's  mirror! 

LOPEZ — What  words  you  speak! 

BAZAINE —  Drink  milk  and  play  with  boys! 

When  lands  are  confiscate  by  strength  of  arms 

The  only  principle  is  one  offeree. 

So  now's  the  time  for  you  to  shed  away 

The  ultra  spirit  of  unbending  virtue 

Which  your  conversion  to  the  imperial  cause 

Has  cast  on  you;  as  if  to  quite  prevent 

The  least  reversion  to  apostacy. 

Along  the  way  of  prosperous  circumstance 

Glean  what  you  can,  and  if  the  palace  falls 

Be  ready  to  pick  up  the  precious  relics. 

Control  your  tongue  and  see  the  game  played  out 

And  if  you  need  me,  come;  while  I  am  here 

I  can  be  seen  behind  the  curtained   throne 

Doing  hypnotic  gestures.      But  again 

Whate'er  you  say  ot  me  will  come  to  me — 

Not  that  I  care,  but  that  no  one  deceives  me. 

And  now  to-night,  whatever  time  may  bring 

Our  little  Hoffahig  will  be  enacted. 

And  sir,  how  like  you  this? 

LOPEZ —  'Tis  gorgeous,  excellency. 

BAZAINE — Yes,  and  it  took  a  mint  of  coin  to  do  it. 

But  nothing  dazzles  vulgar  sight  so  much 

As  clouds  of  gold  dust.      Is  the  throne  in  taste? 

LOPEZ — A  miracle  of  beauty. 

BAZAINE —  How  expressive 

Are  the  French  cannon  which  it  rests  upon. 

With  these  did  General  Forey  at   Puebla 

Sweep  down  the  Liberal  army.      And  the  flag — 

LOPEZ — Of  the  republic! 

BAZAINE—  Brought  from  Vera  Cruz. 


MAXIMILIAN  17 

First  lowered  when  the  imperial  flag  of  France 

Flew  gallantly;  and  next  it  there  I  placed 

The  standard  which  was  raised  above  the  palace 

In  honor  of  their  majesties'  arrival. 
V    Above  the  arcade,  France  and  Mexico 
|  Convey  their  friendship  by  their  coat  of  arm 
I  And  on  those  bayonets  the  ballot-box 
J  Well  signifies  the  plebiscite  which  brought 

The  emperor  Maximilian  here  to  rule. 

LOPEZ — The  ballot  box? 

BAZAINE —  There  sir — 

LOPEZ —  I  do  not  see  it. 

BAZAINE — It  is  as  palpable  and  plain  to  view 

As  on  the  day  the  plebiscite  was  taken. 

LOPEZ — Which  is  not  palpable  and  plain  at  all. 

BAZAINE — We  did  deceive  poor  Ferdinand  in  that! 

Let  fancy  picture  some  things  not  expressed. 

I've  tried  to  tell  the  story  by  arrangement; 

But  faith  what  could  portray  the  bitter  tears 

Which  Europe  shed  o'er  barbarous  Mexico? 

Methinks  I  see  old  Jecker  now,  poor  fellow, 

Weeping  because  the  bonds  of  Mexico 

Had  gone  to  protest.      Then  the  Mexicans 

Got  powder,  for  they  gauged  such  sympathy. 

Or  what  could  symbolize  old  Forey's  blunder 

Who  followed  out  Napoleon's  veiled  instructions, 

Who  spoke  in  diplomatic  language  thus: 

And  not  to  dictate  forms  of  government." 
Lol^z^^AndtEeiiyoif^amg."^'      1^*'*wwtlw-«*~*Sx 
BAZAINE —  Through  me  the  glove  was  shed, 

When  Spain  and  England  slunk  away  out-witted. 
Until  the  troops  of  France  possessed  this  city. 
The  tale  is  written  all  around  you  sir. 
LOPEZ — 1  know  it. 
BAZAINE —  And  the  finis  is,  the  throne. 


1 8  MAXIMILIAN 

'Twill  thrill  the  dancers;  for  this  theme  will  mix 

With  music  and  the  romance  of  the  heart 

To  charm  the  atmosphere  like  summer's  breath. 

LOPEZ — Poet  and  orator! 

BAZAINE —  You  flatter  me. 

The  blunt  of  speech  are  never  orators. 

So  do  I  say  I  picked  you  from  the  crowd 

To  be  a  sort  of  comrade.      Now  begin 

To  understand  me.      I  have  read  your  mind. 

You  think  at  times  my  friendship  might  be  questioned 

For  Maximilian.      You  mistake  me  Lopez. 

LOPEZ — I  never  thought  it. 

BAZAINE —  Don't  deceive  yourself. 

But  hear  the  water  ooze  beneath  the  quag-mire — 

The  undercurrents  sweeping  from  the  sea 

Set  the  loose  island  swinging  up  and  down — 

Then  falls  the  castle! 

LOPEZ — God,  you  startle  me! 

BAZAINE — What  is  a  life  of  war  and  politics? 

It  is  the  school  that  brings  the  he&rt  good  humor 

After  it  learns  that  all  men  lie  and  plunder. 

Yes,  by  my  sword  that  even  government 

Cements  these  stones  with  blood  and  gold  together. 

'Tis  I,  a  monocrat,  that  tell  you  this, 

Just  as  I  feel  the  warm,  fraternal  blood 

Spread  with  a  glow  of  friendship  o'er  my  face. 

A  monocrat!      For  monarchy's  the  best 

It  is  no  hypocrite  like  all  republics: — 

They  are  a  lie  within  a  lie;  at  last 

The  shell  of  falsehood  bursts  and  falls  away 

And  lo  an  empire  spreads  its  brilliant  wings. 

For  lust  of  money,  man's  unconquered  lust 

In  any  clime  and  under  any  law 

Will  build  a  favored  class.      Ye  common  tribe 

To  work,  to  work,  support  the  king  and  priest! 

They  love  to  do  it. — Let  them  be  indulged. 


MAXIMILIAN  19 

Hence  is  it,  sir,  I'm  loyal  to  myself. 

LOPEZ — And  you  have  been  most  kind  and  true  to  me. 

BAZAINE — It  cost  me  nothing. 

LOPEZ —  Well,   the  spies  have  flown. 

BAZAINE — No  matter,  they   learned  nothing  of  importance 

But  news  has  come  of  serious  import   Lopez, 

Have  you  not  heard? 

LOPEZ —  Not  I. 

BAZAINE —  You  will  not  tell — 

Not  even  the   emperor? 

LOPEZ —  Should  he  not  know? 

BAZAINE — Let  the  poor  prince  have  rest  to-night,  at  least. 

LOPEZ — I  promise.      (Shouts    outside     "Lo?tg     live     the 

emperor" ]) 

BAZAINE —  There's  the  emperor. 

LOPEZ —  And  then 

Her  majesty  will  come;  not  now  or  here 
Should  we  meet  her. 
BAZAINE —  We'll  make  the  castle's  rounds 

(They  start) 

She's  coming  through  the  hall — My  heart  bounds  up! 
A  lily  planted  on  a  noisome  hill 
Is  not  so  spotless,  no,  nor  out  of  place 
As  in  this  Mexico  is  fair  Carlotta 
Child  of  the  Holy   Queen. 

LOPEZ —  (  The  shouts  are  again  heard) 

That's  loyalty. 
(Bazaine  and  Lopez  go  out) 

(Enter  Carlotta  who  goes  to  the  window  at  the  back) 
CARLOTTA — Ah  is  it  not  worth  the  Austrian  succession 
To  rule  this  empire?      Yes,  a  thousand  times! 
The  carriage  stops.      I  see  him.      He's  alighted. 
Is  there  not  condescension  in  his  bow? 
And  all  the  awe-struck  mob  is  falling  back! 
He  comes;  they  kneel;  they  doff  their  hats 

(Shouts)  They  shout. 


20  MAXIMILIAN 

'Tis  Maximilian,  emperor  of  Mexico. 
We  are  the  source  of  glory  and  of  power, 
And  for  the  future — 

(Enter  Maximilian  who  takes  Car  lot  to.  in 
MAXIMILIAN — Let  us  seize  the  present. 
CARLOTTA — My  prince! 

(Holds  her  at  arms'"  length  and  looks  at  her) 
MAXIMILIAN — Well,  pretty  regent,  how's  the  empire? 
CARLOTTA — Improving  sir. 

MAXIMILIAN —  No  cabinet  dissolved? 

CARLOTTA — I  wish  it  had.  (  They  sit) 

MAXIMILIAN —  They  cultivate  one's  patience. 

What  news? 

CARLOTTA —  Priest? 

MAXIMILIAN —  Yes? 

CARLOTTA —  Priest. 

MAXIMILIAN — Yes  that's  two. 
CARLOTTA —  And  priest. 

I  have  had  priest  for  breakfast,  lunch  and  dinner. 

AXIMILIAN — The  church's  lands  shall  never  be  restored. 
ARLOTTA — Did  you  not  promise? 
MAXIMILIAN—  No!  At  Miramar 

he  evening  that  preceded  my  acceptance 
f  empire,  1  was  waited  on  by  three 

_»Mirainon. 

RLOTTA — These  are^tKe""triree  who  won  Napoleon's  ear 
n  your  behalf. 

AXIMILIAN —  They  claim  it.      Then  I  said 

I  should  do  justice. 

CARLOTTA —  Which  meant  restoration. 

MAXIMILIAN — To  them  perhaps;  to  me  it  meant  no  mort 
main. 
CARLOTTA — There    was    a    deference    in    your    doubttul 

words. 

MAXIMILIAN — The  words  of  the  King  are  dark! 
CARLOTTA —  But  I  must  tell  you 


MAXIMILIAN  21 

This  Miramon  is  here. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I  am  surprised! 

CARLOTTA — Prince  SaJjp^turncd^JrojT^^ 

week      *— '  I"'"*****' 
Denied  an  audience. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I  thought  as  much. 

CARLOTTA — Your  books  have  come. 
MAXIMILIAN — That's  good.      You  looked  them  over? 
CARLOTTA — I  did. 

MAXIMILIAN —  What's  there? 

CARLOTTA —  Your  naval  books  and  charts 

The  classics,  Aristotle  and  the  rest, 
Old  snuffy  Kant;  your  books  of  economics 
And  Goethe — 

MAXIMILIAN —  Ah,  we'll  have  some  reading  now. 

But  how's  the  treasury? 

CARLOTTA —  There's  not  a  dollar. 

I've  heard  of  finance  till  my  head  was  aching. 
MAXIMILIAN — But  Vera  Cruz  and  Tampico  are  ours — 
My  soldiers  seized  them. 

CARLOTTA —  Yes  the  recent  quarter 

During  your  absence  brought  two  million  dollars. 
But  the  expenses — parks  and  boulevards — 
MAXIMILIAN — Yes,  and  the  army.      Still  the  navy  lags — 
'Tis  near  my  heart.      If  I  could  rival  England. — 
CARLOTTA — Your     proclamation     has     been     published, 

dear — 

I   halted — but   obeyed. 

MAXIMILIAN —  They  all  advised  it. 

My  cabinet,  Bazaine,  Prince  Salm  as  well — 
Who  can  be  wholly  wise?     I  trust  in  God. 
For  as  my  power  is  given  of  God,  its  use 
Is  moulded  to  the  will  of  Providence. 
So  do  I  thrill  to  feel  myself  the  source 
Of  God-like  will  and  o'er  this  land  of  ours 
First  in  its  firmament  to  shed  the  rays 


22  MAXIMILIAN 

Of  light  and  hope  and  by  such  glory    nurse 
The  strength  and  beauty  of  a  struggling  race. 
For  once  within  the  palace  of  Caserta 
I  stood  upon  its  monumental  stairway, 
Amidst  those  pillars  of  resplendent  marble. 
And  thought  could  Charles  the  Fifth  adorn  its  head 
Who  would  not  bow  before  that  wondrous  power. 
So  have  I  felt,  fancying  the  surging  crowrd 
About  me,  and  with  gracious  condescension 
;  Permitting  them,  and  with  a  lofty  bow 
Warming  and  cheering  such  poor  hearts  beneath  me. 
CARLOTTA — How  eloquent  you  are! 
MAXIMILIAN —  Yes,    I'd  believe 

The  people  love  the  empire.      Some  there  be — 
Rebellious  souls  kept  in  the  path  of  hate 
By  traitorous  leaders.      I'll  be  firm  at  last. 
Some  clericals  as  well  who  seek  their  own. 
CARLOTTA — I  fear  them  both. 

MAXIMILIAN —  The  black  decree  will  work. 

Enough !  I  see  the  ball  is  held  to-night. 
The  French  support  is  quite  in  evidence 
The  trophies  of  Bazaine. 

CARLOTTA —  I  likejnm_not.\ 

The  shrewd  old  bear  forever  hunifmg  honey. 
MAXIMILIAN — And  never  stung. 
CARLOTTA —  Although  the  natives  hate  him. 

He  is  not  friendly  to  us  Ferdinand 
But  still  the  tranquil  empire  owes  him  much. 
MAXIMILIAN — He  must  be  won.      Who  sent  the  invita 
tions? 

CARLOTTA — I  made  Prince  Salm  grandmaster  of  the    ball 
To  imitate  your  brother's  court. 
MAXIMILIAN—  That's  well— 

And  whom  did  you  invite? 
CARLOTTA —  Well,  be  assured 

I  had  no  list  to  use  whose  ancestors 


MAXIMILIAN  23 

Were  noble  in  eight  pairs  of  either  line. 

MAXIMILIAN — Quite  true    of  course.      But  if  in  Austria 

One  mesalliance  breaks  the  noble  chain 

There  would  not  be  a  link  in   Mexico. 

I  fear  we  must  conceal  our  smiles  tonight. 

CARLOTTA — I    burn  to  think  of  what  may  happen  here. 

'Tis  hard  to  teach  them  royal  etiquette.. 

MAXIMILIAN — Where  is  my  mail? 

CARLOTTA —  Why,  there  upon  the  table ! 

MAXIMILIAN — {Begins    to    open    letter.")       My    brother 

writes — 

CARLOTTA —  Equivocally,  I  judge — 

MAXIMILIAN — Quite  otherwise.        He  says  his   diplomats 
Construe  my  waiver  of  the  Austrian  throne 
\s  binding — 

ARLOTTA — Yes?     Ah!  Ferdinand  that  pains  me. 

t  Miramar  your  brother  was  too  eager 
That  you  should  come  to  Mexico.     Just  think 
Whatever  falls  to  us  we  are  shut  out 
Forever  from  the  land  we  love  so  well. 
MAXIMILIAN — 'Tis  solacing  to  him. 
CARLOTTA —  Oh  vile  ambition! 

MAXIMILIAN — (  Opening    another     letter.  )         Napoleon 

writes  at  length — 

CARLOTTA —  To  hide  his  thoughts. 

MAXIMILIAN — They're  plain  enough  at  last. 
CARLOTTA —  Concerning  money? 

MAXIMILIAN — How  could    you  fail  to  guess?      He  wants 

a  lien 

Upon  Sonora's  mine.      He  wants  assurance 
That  fresh  advances  will  be  promptly  met 
He  soon  will  send  another  financier 
To  give  the  empire  counsel. 
CARLOTTA —  So  do  we 

Besmirch  our  pride  by  being  thus  dependent. 
MAXIMILIAN — The    United  States  is  growing  insolent. 


24  MAXIMILIAN 

CARLOTTA — Does  he  say  "growing"?      Well  the  tense  is 
wrong. 

MAXIMILIAN — And     still  demands  the  troops  of   France 
withdrawn 

Which  must  be  done — 

CARLOTTA — (  With  agitation. )   So  bold  and  faithless  sir? 

What    should    we    do?     What    troops    would    stay    the 
throne? 

Where  could  we  go?      Our  door  at  home  is  closed? 

Do  you  not  see? 

MAXIMILIAN  He  gives  the  reason  here 

\Because  the  imperial  scheme  in  Mexico 

Preponderates  in  danger  and  in  loss — 
--'G-ARLOTTA — Because  he  is  afraid.      Because  he  flies 

And  drops  the  standard  of  imperial  rule 

When  low  republicans  assault  its  banner. 

Yes,  even  he  will  break  his  word  to  keep 

The  troops  six  years  until  the  throne  is  firm. 

MAXIMILIAN — But  if  we  will  divide  the  revenues 

Of  Tampico  and  Vera  Cruz  in  order 

To  make  secure  the  heavy  loans  of  France, 

He  will  stand  firm  as  long  as  possible — 

CARLOTTA — How  long  is  that?     Suppose  we  give  him  all 

And  the  United  States  demands  these  troops 

Withdrawn  to  France.      Their  civil  war  is  over. 

What  will  he  do?     He  fears  that  vulgar  power? 

My  prince,  this  is  the  swollen  artery 

Whose  bursting  any  time  will  stop  the  heart. 

MAXIMILIAN — Ah  well   (  Tosses    the  letter   aside. )   To 
morrow  will  be  soon  enough  for  this. 

CARLOTTA — Whom  can  we  trust? 

MAXIMILIAN — {Readinganother  letter .  )  A  clerical  petition. 

CARLOTTA — I  hardly  think  you  meant  to  answer  so. 

MAXIMILIAN — Persistent  priests — I'll  give  it  due  attention. 
(^He  tears  it  up.      Reads  another.^) 

< Beware    Bazaine,  beware  the  treacherous  Lopez" 


MAXIMILIAN 

Who  opened  this?      That  matter  must  be  looked  to. 

What  means  this  letter?      I  have  had  a  dozen. 

Beware  Bazaine — what  has  he  done  but  serve  me? 

Beware  the  treacherous  Lopez!      But  I  like  him. 

What  little  passions  rage  about  my  head — 

I  am  fatigued. 

CARLOTTA —  .    Dear  Prince  forsake  the  letters. 

Do  you  not  think  the  rooms  are  beautiful? 
nf  niir 

CARLOTTA — You  JiTcetBTtKrone. 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  not  the  props  beneath  it. 

1  hate  to  see  it  rest  upon  French  cannon. 

CARLOTTA — Let  us  be  happy  for  to-night  at  least — 

As  if  we  were  again  at  Miramar — 

How  oft  we  walked  by  moonlight  on  the  beach 

MAXIMILIAN — Not  knowing  we   were  happy!      For  am 
bition 

That  held  the  crown  before  my  eager  eyes 
Maimed  every  moment  with  its  hidden  sting. 
But  God's  work  must  be  done.      And  I  will  do  it — 
Yes  when  the  voice  said  stretch  your  hand  and  take  it 
I  put  it  forth  and  lo  the  crown  was  mine. 
I  am  a  soldier — 

CARLOTTA —  And  a  lover  yet. 

MAXIMILIAN — An  emperor  too  by  God's  wise  providence — 
Even  if  strong  ambition  brought  us  here, 
We  were  predestined.      Though  I  will  the  act 
It  was  not  I  who  did  create  the  will. 
Therefore  this  work  before  me  must  be  done. 

(He  rings) 

Carlotta  I  would  talk  alone   with  Salm. 
Retire  sweet  girl;  besides  the  dancing  hour 
Draws  on  apace. 

(Enter  Lackey) 
Go  bring  his  highness  here. 

(Exit  Lackey) 


26  MAXIMILIAN 

CARLOTTA —  Conduct  me  through  the  hall. 

(As  they  go  out  Eazaine  and  Lopez  re-enter.} 

LOPEZ — I'm  cold  with  fear. 

BAZAINE —  Oh  pooh,  when  the  worst  has  come 

'Tis  not  so  bad  as  that — 

LOPEZ —  But  what's  the  end? 

BAZAINE — Don't  know.      Your  only  business,  as  I  said, 

Is  to  be  still;  and  then  as  I  commanded 

Distribute  troops  enough  to  keep  the  peace. 

Let  no  bells  ring,  I  hate  the  horrid  custom. 

Leave  the  poor  emperor  to  one  night  of  joy. 

LOPEZ — Of  joy? 

BAZAINE — I  said  it. 

LOPEZ —  Glance  across  your  shoulder. 

( Enter  Archbishop  Labastida  and  Prince 

Salm-Salm.) 

BAZAINE — The  archbishop !  the  prince — the  church's  lands, 
God  if  I  had  to  hear  that  piteous  wail ! 
Let's  be  polite 

(To  them} 

Your  reverence!     Your  highness! 
LABASTIDA — The  army !  excellency — 
BAZAINE —  We  were  but  going. 

Business  constrains  us. 
LABASTIDA —  You  have  heard  the  news? 

(  Sa/m  and  Lopez  converse  aside. ) 
BAZAINE — The  United  States-  — 
.      LABASTIDA —  I  hate  them  excellency — 

Their  foul  hypocrisy  caught  from  the  British 
i    Is  more  than  skin  deep  now.      'Tis  in  the  flesh. 
L    For  mark  me  now,  their  civil  war  was  waged 
I  In  an  imperial  cause,  I  speak  with  candor. 
I  All  power  has  moved  to  Washington,  but  how? 
I  By  giving  to  its  flow  a  moral  impulse 
;Such  as  the  cry  for  negro  liberty. 
1  We  call  such  central  power  imperial 


MAXIMILIAN  27 

There  'tis  democracy  that  helps  the  weak. — (He  laughs 

snceringly. ) 

BAZAINE — I  grasp  your  hand.      And  not  content  to  dictate 
Their  form  of  government,  they  deny  these  people 
The  right  to  have  an  empire  if  they,  like — 
I  hate  them  for  their  arrogance  and  lying — 
LABASTIDA — I    hate    them    for  their   cool,    contemptuous 

wav_s. 

Their  bold  sophistications  to  the  face. 
BAZAINE  (^'Aside.) — A  word   with    you!     Make   haste    to 

get  your  lands. 

(  Enfer  the  lackey  and  goes  up  to  Salm. ) 
LABASTIDA — You  never  said  so  yet!   I  am  surprised. 
LACKEY  (  To  Sa/m) — His  majesty  would  see  your  highness 

here — 

Lopez — Your  excellency — 

BAZAINE —  We'll  meet  to-night  I  hope 

Till  then  adieu. 
SALM  and  LABASTIDA — Adieu. 

(^Bazai)ie  and  Lopez  go  out.      Lackeys  enter  and 

light  the  candles. ) 

LABASTIDA —  Now  will  you  help  me? 

The  treasury  is  empty,  I  will  fill  it. 
The  army  may  fall  off,  I  will  recruit  it — 
All  that  I  ask  is  for  the  church's  own. 
If  empire  merely  leaves  us  where  we  were 
Despoiled  and  robbed;  then  give  us  the  republic. 
SALM — Your  reverence. 

LABASTIDA —  I  mean  it.      Can't  you  see 

The  empire's  peril?   Months  and  years  were  wasted 
In  doing  what?   I  know  not.      Here  we  are: — 
There's  not  a  clerical  strong  at  the  court, 
Almonte  has  been  shrewdly  sent  away, 
Estrada  loiters  in  a  foreign  office, 
And  Miramon  until  a  month  ago 
Grieved  for  this  wrong  in  far  away  Berlin. 


28  MAXIMILIAN 

Bazaine  has  smitten  me  with  heavy  hand — 

Commanded  silence.      And  his  majesty 

Denied  an  exequatur  to  all  bulls 

Touching  this  thing.      Is  it  desired  I  wonder 

To  break  with  Rome? 

SALM —  Not  that. 

LABASTIDA —  What  is  the  matter? 

Because  the  exiled,  clericals  at  Paris 

Won  to  their  cause  the  emperor  of"  the  French; 

Because  Napoleon  won,  built  yonder  throne — 

The  church  demands  this  sequence  of  its  labors — 

Or  else — 

SALM —  Or  else? 

LABASTIDA —  'Twill  wield  its  ancient  power. 

(Enter  Maximilian.) 
SALM — His  majesty! 
MAXIMILIAN —  What  conference  is  this? 

(  They  bow  to  Maximilian.  ) 
What  is  the  ancient  power  the  church  will  wield? 
LABASTIDA — Your  majesty  needs  but  one  friend. 
MAXIMILIAN —  What  friend? 

LABASTIDA — Foes  of  the  throne  cannot  be  turned  to  foes — 
Friends  of  the  throne  may  join  the  enemy — 
Only  the  Liberals  will  protest  the  act. 
MAXIMILIAN — Your  reverence  errs  to  be  reactionary — 
We  would  be  left  alone — 

{Labastida  and  Prince  Sa/m  start  to 

leave. ) 

MAXIMILIAN —  Stay  Prince! 

LABASTIDA —  Your  majesty  (^Labastida  goes  out) 

MAXIMILIAN — (^Grasping  Salmis  hand) 
Old  school-fellow — what  did  he  say? 
SALM —  Complaints ! 

The  church's  lands;  the  work  that  he  has  done, 
The  clericals,  Napoleon's  heed  of  them; 
The  consequences  if  the  church  is  scorned. 


MAXIMILIAN  29 

MAXIMILIAN — What    do  you    think?     I     trust  you  to  the 

foil. 

SALM — Like  every  policy  it  has  two  sides, 
Justice,  expediency — 

MAXIMILIAN —  I'll  do  justice 

And  leave  the  rest  to  God.      Forestall  events 
Nor  make  it  necessary  in  the  course  of  things 
To  raise  another  Richelieu  to  cow 
The  despotism  of  a  wide  mortmain. 
This  infant  empire  can  be  reared  aright 
Thus  saving  to  our  children  tears  and  blood! 
SALM — Your  majesty  I  would  all  men  could  know  you 
As  I  have  known  you,  as  I  know  you  now. 
MAXIMILIAN — To  you  I'm  Maximilian — tell  me  prince 
Why  with  this  grave  and  saddened  face  you  come — 
What  happened? 

SALM —  'Tis  ill  news. 

MAXIMILIAN —  For  this  I  called  you. 

SALM — Then  you  have  heard  ? 

MAXIMILIAN —  Only  you  were  rejected. 

SALM — Of  that?     Why  yes,  they  do  not  recognize 
The  empire  is,  therefore  would  not  receive  me. 
MAXIMILIAN — I'm  fearful  Salm! 

SALM —  Alas !  they  hate  us  all — 

Holding  this  scheme  of  empire  in  abhorrence — 
MAXIMILIAN — Inscrutable,  the  fruit  of  ignorance. 
SALM — Perhaps — but  then  I  know  America — 
For  as  the  death  of  Caesar  fired  the  soul 
Of  tyranny  which  lurked  for  the  occasion. 
So  liberty  did  lave  her  quickened  hands 
In  Lincoln's  blood,  and  vowed  with  sternest  will 
To  free  mankind — and  while  your  majesty 
Wears  the  imperial  crown,  though  following 
The  people's  will  like  Thomas  Jefferson — 
America  will  look  above  our  heads 
And  know  us  not.      Albeit  1  like  that  land 


30  MAXIMILIAN 

For  toward  myself  they  showed  profound  respect. 

MAXIMILIAN — God  help  me! 

SALM — {Aside}  If  they  had  remained  but  neutral! 

MAXIMILIAN — So  failing  you  returned.      I'm  very  glad 

To  look  into  your  honest  eyes  again. 

And  hear  this  message,  fateful  though  it  be. 

I've  had  a  weary  journey  through  the  country; 

These  people  smile  and  .hate  you  while  they  smile. 

And  if  the  states  o'crstep  the  bounds  of  nations 

And  meddle  with  the  throne  of  Mexico 

Then  if  Napoleon  takes  the  troops  away — 

So  yielding  to  America's  coercion 

Aye,  there's  a  problem  fit  for  Charles  the  Fifth. 

(  Music  is  heard} 

SALM — {Aside}  He  does  not  know  the  worst. 
MAXIMILIAN —  I'm  sad  at  times 

I  am  to-night. 

SALM — (Aside}  The  cabinet   may  tell  him 

MAXIMILIAN — And  then  the  church  distracts  me  night  and 

day 

Have  you  seen  Miramon? 

SALM —  He  seems  disgusted — 

Has  come  to  give  his  labors  to  the  church. 

{The  music  continues} 
MAXIMILIAN — Oh ! 

SALM —  He  loathed  his  mission  at  Berlin  and  thinks 

It  was  a  scheme  to  put  him  out  of  way. 
MAXIMILIAN — Let  me  forget  the  cares  of  state  to-night 
The  music  has  struck  up.      We'll  talk  again. 
Old  friend— 

{He  grasps  Salmis  hand,  drops  it  and  walks  away} 

Be  joyous  for  to-night. 

(Exit) 

SALM —  Alas! 

I'm  yours  till  death! 

(Enter  Lopez] 


MAXIMILIAN  31 

LOPEZ  —  This  way  they'll  come. 

SALM  —  How    apropos.      You've    placed    the     troops    no 

doubt. 

LOPEZ  —  Whoever  rings  a  bell  will  die  the  death. 
But  did  you  tell    the  emperor? 
SALM  —  Why  no  — 

'Twas  on  my  tongue;  but  then  he  was  so  grieved 
That  I  had  failed  at  Washington;  to  tell  him  — 
The  United  States  not  only  look  upon  him 
As  Maximilian,  prince,  who  claims  to  be 
An  emperor,  chief  of  a  faction,  leader 
In  a  mere  siege  of  arms  of  monarchies  — 
For  thus  they  speak,  but  also  have  in  truth 
Accredited^-the  rebel1  diitPaseZL^ 


minister  —  I  lacked  the  heart  to  do  it. 
And  then  again  to  break  upon  his  peace 
And  say  also  that  with  this  minister, 
A  hint  of  mountain  size  that  Sherman  comes  — 
And  follow  up  that  Tampico  has  fallen 
Into  the  Liberal  hand  and  Metamoras  — 
LOPEZ  —  Why  this  is  news  to  me! 
SALM  —  Like  booming  cannon 

One  shock  succeeds  another. 
LOPEZ  —  I  am  glad 

You  kept  these  horrors  from  the  emperor  — 
He's  ill;  and  shrinks  before  the  heavy  clouds 
SALM  —  I'm  part  of  the  quadrille  and  must  be  going  — 
Yet  have  you  seen  a  woman  seeking  you  — 
She  mingles  with  the  company  and  asks 
For  you;  approached  me,  but  I  scarce  believe 
She  can  have  proper  business. 
LOPEZ  —  That  is  strange  — 

(  Sound  of  voices  talking  a?id 

laughing^ 
SALM  —  I  join  her  highness. 

(Exit) 


32  MAXIMILIAN 

LOPEZ —  Now  to  fight  Juarez — 

Until  he  falls. 

(Enter  Madam   Mar  is  call) 
{With    surprise} 

Why  Madam  Mariscali! 

MADAM  MARISCALI,    (  Coolly) — Yes,  Miguel. 
LOPEZ —  You  are  audacious — 

MADAM   MARISCALI —  Yes? 

I've  waited  for  this  opportunity  long. 
You're  my  protector. 

LOPEZ —  And  you  dared  to  come  here — 

Talk  quietly — you  must  from  here  at  once — 
MADAM   MARISCALI — I'm  not  invited  to  the  ball  I  know — 
And  shall  not  stay 

LOPEZ —  But  then  the  guests  are  here 

They  enter  soon; 
MADAM    MARISCALI —  In  truth,    but    'mong    so 

many 

No  one  would  pick  me  out,  so  the  occasion 
Co-operates  with  me  to  see  you  now 
While  now  I  need  you. 

LOPEZ —  Go  away  I  pray  you. 

MADAM   MARISCALI — I   look  to  you. 
LOPEZ —  But  even  now  his  highness 

Mentioned  to  me  a  woman  sought  for  me 
'  Tis  you — how  bold — how  careless  of  my  fame — 
MADAM   MARISCALI — How  could  I  find  you  else? 
LOPEZ —  Oh  witch. 

MADAM   MARISCALI —  I  care  not. 

LOPEZ — You  will  be  seen,  they  know  you  here — away — 
To-morrow  at  some  place  I'll  keep  the  hour — 
No  never,  you're  a  spy — 

MADAM    MARISCALI —  You  must  assist  me. 

LOPEZ — If  you  have  ever  thought  of  me  as  friend 
Or  listened  to  my  words  of  love — depart. 
MADAM    MARISCALI — You  break  vour  oath! 


MAXIMILIAN  33 

LOPEZ —  I  never  took  an  oath 

To  play  the  spy. 

MADAM  MARISCALI —  You  loved  me  once. 

LOPEZ —  I  loved  you — 

But  you  must  leave — 'Tis  past  all  argument 

Just  think  your  husband  wars  against  this  throne 

Nay,  is  a  general  in  the  Liberal  army, 

And  you  are  here — away — or  I  must  seize  you. 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Then  do  so.    I  would  stay.    I  must 

be  heard 

For  know,  old  friend,  my  husband  has  been  captured 
And  by  the  black  decree  must  suffer  death. 
LOPEZ — Ah  Julia ! 

MADAM   MARISCALI — Miguel,  intercede  for  me, 
Beg  of  the  emperor  an  amnesty. 
It  was  our  parting  oath  to  help  each  other. 
LOPEZ — You  speak  the  truth? 

MADAM  MARISCALI —       You  doubt  me?  God  be  witness. 
All  that  I  ask  is  that  you'll  storm  his  heart. 
Merciful  heavens  shall  the  General  die? 
LOPEZ — Be  calm. 

MADAM   MARISCALI — Is  it  not  granted? 
LOPEZ —  Come  to-morrow 

But  let  me  think!  I'll  send  a  messenger 
Fixing  the  hour  and  place — Oh  Julia  go — 
MADAM  MARISCALI — Oh   Miguel! 
LOPEZ —  Make  haste. 

MADAM   MARISCALI —  I  thank  you. 

(Exit) 

LOPEZ —  Just 

In  time — my  brow  is  beaded. 

(Enter  Miramon~) 

MIRAMON —  What's  her  name? 

That  face  I  know! 
LOPEZ —  Indeed! 

MIRAMON —  But  where  I  know  not. 


34  MAXIMILIAN 

Why  do  you  still  sustain  these  old  flirtations? 
She  will  be  prompt  upon  the  very  minute! 
LOPEZ — 'Tis  only  the  passe  who  keep  appointments. 
I'm  saved; 

(  The  voices  grow  louder^) 
(Aloud}  They  enter. 

(A  numerous  company 
MIRAMON —  Shall  I  stay — or  go 

And  enter  with  the  strangers? 
LOPEZ —  For  the  present 

I'm  glad  you're  with  me.      Listen! 

(  To  the  company'}          Range  yourselves, 
There  must  be  space  to  dance.      And  don't  forget 
The  points  of  etiquette. 

(He  arranges  them} 
A  VOICE —  Do  we  salute  them? 

LOPEZ — Whom? 

THE  VOICE —          Long  live  their  majesties! 
LOPEZ —  Don't  speak  a  word. 

Be  quiet  there — 

ANOTHER  VOICE — Or  do  we  kneel? 
LOPEZ —  Have  you  forgotten? 

Stand  to  this  side.      When  the  quadrille  is  finished 
After  the  noble  guests  have  passed  the  throne 
Then  you  will  follow  where  they  walked  before  you; 
But  do  not  as  they  do.      Remember  that! 
You  may  but  kiss  their  majesties  on  the  hand — 
Don't  blunder! 

(Smiles  light  their  faces  and  whispers  run  through 

the  crowd.      The  music  becomes  louder. ) 
Now!  be  ready — there  they  come. 
(Enter   Maximilian  and  Car  lot  t  a.      After  the?n 
Prince    and    Princess    Zichy,    Prince     and 
Princess    Salm-Salm,    Count    and    Countess 
Funfkirchen,     Marquis    de     Gallifet     and 
Princess   Josefay   Senor    and  Senora    Salas, 


MAXIMILIAN  35 

Archbishop  Labastida,  Marshal  Bazaine, 
General  and  Madam  Miramon  and  a  cortege 
of  brilliantly  dressed  people.  Maximilian 
and  Carlotta  together  with  Prince  and 
Princess  Zichy,  Count  and  Countess  Funfkir- 
chen  and  Prince  and  Princess 
Salm-Salm  dance  the  quadrille  a'honneur. 
After  which  Marshal  Bazaine  escorts  the 
emperor  and  empress  to  the  throne  where 
they  stand  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  to  receive 
the  company;  the  Prince  and  Princess  Zichy 
leading.  The  empress  kisses  her  cheek  and 
that  of  Countess  Funfkirchen,  Princess  Salm- 
Salm  and  Princess  jfosefa.  The  rest  are 
permitted  to  kiss  her  hand  only.  Senora 
Salas  in  an  impulsive  moment  gives  the 
empress  the  Mexican  abrazioy  whereupon 
the  empress  starts  back  with  a  look  of  pained 
indignation;  while  Senora  Salas  puts  her 
hands  to  her  eyes  to  suppress  the  tears. ) 

CARLOTTA — In  Spain  it  would  be  death  to  touch  me  so! 

SENORA  SALAS — {Kneeling} 

Your  majesty,  I  humbly  pray  your  pardon. 

BAZAINE — (To  Senor  Salas) 

You  are  her  husband.  Please  escort  her  hence. 
(She  is  escorted  away  by  her 
husband) 

CARLOTTA — (To  Bazaine) 

I  will  not  see  the  others. 

A  LADY — -{Aside  to  another} 

But  I  think 

She  might  have  overlooked  it. 

ANOTHER — (Aside) 

How  impulsive! 

A  NOTHER — (  Aside  ) 

That  is  not  royal  etiquette. 


36  MAXIMILIAN 

ANOTHER — (  Aside) 

But  then 

Her  majesty  is  alien  to  our  customs. 

ANOTHER — Just  think !  before  the  eyes  of  everyone — 

ANOTHER — Her    dress    accorded  with  the  fearful  blund 
er — 

ANOTHER — In  Austria  they  say  'tis  very  hard 

To  see  the  empress — 

ANOTHER —  And,  of  course,  she'll  weep. 

ANOTHER — Who'll    want    to   waltz    against    her    ruddy 
nose — 

BAZAINE — (To  Lopez] 

Scatter  your  people  through  the  dancing  rooms — 

You  understand — her  majesty  refuses. 

A  GENTLEMAN — The  punch  is  excellent  they  say. 

MAXIMILIAN — (To  Bazaine) 

One  moment — 
(  To  the  company) 

Friends  of  the  throne,  'tis  fit  you  dance  to-night. 

As  it  was  said,  the  empire  means  but  peace. 

You  who  are  sick  of  war  and  revolution 

Welcome  the  equal  justice  of  the  throne. 

That  was  my  oath  at  Miramar,  and  if 

I  shall  uphold  the  flag  of  independence 

Conserve  the  territory  and  the  honor 

Of  Mexico,  the  deed  will  pay  the  doer — 

For  every  day  now  sees  the  sun  of  truth 

Mount  higher  in  the  firmament  of  empire — 

The  Mexican  republic  has  collapsed. 

Mine  is  the  task  to  hold  the  sword  and  sceptre 

Till  every  tongue  shall  voice  its  loyalty. 

My  heart  and  hopes  are  all  with  Mexico 

And  the  red  current  of  my  life  that  leaps 

In  joyous  rapture  for  our  happy  future 

Is  Mexican  to  the  last  ruddy  drop — 

Share  with  the  throne  these  feelings  and  accept 


MAXIMILIAN  37 

Our  hope  that  naught  may  mar  the  evening's  bliss! 

( They  move  through  the  rooms.  Meanwhile 
Miramojiy  Mejia  and  Labastida  approach 
Maximilian.  Princess  Josefa,  Princess 
Zichy  and  Countess  Funfkirchen  stand  near 
Carlotta.  Bazaine  and  Prince  and  Princess 
Salm-Salm  stand  together  near  the  center. 
Music. ) 

(  While  going  out) 
A  LADY — 'Twas  said  to  smooth  us. 
ANOTHER —  Yes,  'tis  evident 

The  native  Mexicans  are  not  considered. 
ANOTHER — 'Tis  French. 
ANOTHER —          And  Austrians. 
ANOTHER —  And  there's  the  Prince. 

ANOTHER — By  no  means  liked. 
ANOTHER —  I  think  his  wife  is  charming — . 

BAZAINE — A  bullet  through  the  heart  is  not  so  painful. 
PRINCESS  SALM — Because  she  knows  she  brought  it  on  her 
self 

Poor  simple  lady. 

BAZAINE —  The  emperor  does  not  know? 

PRINCE  SALM — I  told  her  highness  in  a  mood  of  caution. 
BAZAINE — What     gallant     compliments     he     pays     your 

highness — 

To  tell  one's  wife  a  secret  out  of  caution. 
PRINCESS  SALM — Why  excellency,    you  know  I   keep   a 

secret. 

PRINCE  SALM — Fie  but  you  told — 
PRINCESS  SALM —  That  secret  you  may  keep — 

Ah  but  it  shook  my  very  soul  with  fear — 
Let  us  forget — how  beautiful  the  rooms — 
PRINCE  SALM — Your  highness  then  must  thank  his  excel 
lency — 

BAZAINE — And  Colonel  Lopez — 
PRINCESS  SALM —  But  above  it  all 


38  MAXIMILIAN 

How  young  and  beautiful  their  majesties. 

BAZAINE — A     boy     and    girl!        But     see    that    lovely 

creature 

Conversing  with  Funfkirchen  near  the  throne. 
I've  seen  her  oft  tonight. 
PRINCESS     SALM — Princess     Josefa — the      empire's     heir 

presumptive 

Lady  in  waiting,  counselor  and  friend 
The  daughter  of  Iturbide  "Liberator" 
Augustus  I — 

BAZAINE —  I  beg  your  pardon  highness 

I  know  her  well.      I  mean  the  one  who  stopped 
To    disengage    her     train.      (Aside)      My     wife's    own 

image ! 
PRINCESS  SALM — Oh  yes  you  mean  fair  Mademoiselle  de 

Pena 

Oh!  she's  not  noble — 

BAZAINE —  But  she's  beautiful — 

You  know  her  Prince?      Who  will  present  me  to  her? 
PRINCESS     SALM — Your      excellency     'twould    give     me 

greatest  pleasure. 

BAZAINE — She  takes  Funfkirchen' s  arm — She  goes. 
PRINCESS  SALM—  Be  calm- 

She' 11  not  escape.      This  is  romantic  truly. 

(Bazaine    and   Prince    and    Princess  Salm-Salm 
go  out.) 

LABASTIDA — So  now  for  having  spoken  on  the  theme 
I  hope  your  majesty  will  pardon  me. 
CARLOTTA — (^j/Vfc)Thus    every   joy    is    shadowed  by  a 

priest. 

MAXIMILIAN — We  think  Juarez'  government  was  right — 
Lands  valued  at  a  thousand  million  francs 
Siezed  from  the  people,  given  to  the  church 
Would  paralyze  prosperity! 

LABASTIDA— (  Jside  )  Enough ! 

He  cannot  see  he  has  no  friends  but  us. 


MAXIMILIAN  39 

MAXIMILIAN — Well,   Miramon  where  have  you  left  your 


cares 


You  look  so  happy. 

MIRAMON —  In  Berlin  I   think; 

1  hope  to  never  leave  this  soil  again. 

MAXIMILIAN — I'm    glad    to    see    you,    but    regret     your 

coming. 

Mejia  are  you  tired? 

MEJIA —  I'm  ill  at  ease 

I'm  weather-beaten,  scarred,  the  butt  of  mirth 
In  such  a  scene. 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  then  your  heart  of  honor 

You  are  a  soldier! 

(  They  converse) 

A  GENTLEMAN—  Then  of  course  we  thought 

The  South  would  triumph. 

ANOTHER — (  With  him )  And  we  wished  it  too. 

THE  FIRST — By  consequence  the  victor  deems  the  empire 
A  remnant  of  the  fallen  enemy. 
THE  SECOND — And  now  the  French  army — 
THE  FIRST—  Reduced  by  half— 

THE  SECOND — But  ah  America! 

(Re-enter  Eaxaine  and  Mile  de  la  Pena) 
THE  FIRST —  'Tis  plain  enough. 

Napoleon  fears! 

THE  SECOND —  For  Seward's  notes  are  threats. 

THE  FIRST — Which  they  will  execute. 
BAZAINE —  You  are  not  bored 

To  dance  with  such  a  cavalier  as  I? 

MLLE  PENA — Ah  self-contempt  is  not  your  forte  I    think. 
But  you  were  saying — 

BAZAINE —  Yes,  about  my  travels. 

Of  course  I've  been  in  Spain,  (Aside)  and  loved  in  Spain 
You  look  quite  like  a  friend  I  had  in  Spain. 
MLLE  PENA — Where  is  she  now? 
BAZAINE —  In  heaven  Mademoiselle — 


40  MAXIMILIAN 

Unless  this  thing  they  call  re-incarnation — 

A  LADY — You  know  she  can't  control  him. 

A  GENTLEMAN —  How  absurd — 

THE  LADY — So  he's  intoxicated. 

THE  GENTLEMAN —  Poor  Senora! 

ANOTHER  LADY — Those  two  are  on  the  tongues  of  every 

one — 

ANOTHER — It  is  a  hit.      See  how  her  cheeks  are  glowing. 
THE  FIRST — Besides  he  follows  her  about  the  rooms. 
THE  SECOND — And  how  he  looks  at  her. 
THE  FIRST —  It  is  a  match. 

BAZAINE — The  only  wounds  a  soldier  ever  shows 
Are  those  that  bleed  outside.      You  think  it  strange 
That  I  who  on  the  battle  field  have  seen 
The  drummer  youth  sink  dying  to  the  earth, 
Clasping  the  darling  locket  with  her  picture; 
And  with  an  eye  fixed  like  the  ravin  eagle 
Have  rushed  my  charger  o'er  his  corse  to  win; 
Should  ne'ertheless  send  up  a  whine  to  heaven 
When  I  have  felt  the  iron  fingers  here. 

(  Touches  his  heart^) 
MLLE  PENA — Ah  Sir. 

BAZAINE — For  what  are  all  my  gallant  services 
At  Solferino  or  Sebastapol 
The  campaign  in  Algeria  and  Morocco, 
To  what  has  been;  to  what  I  hope  may  be? 
Shall  I  be  honored  with  another  dance? 

(Enter  Prince  and  Princess  Salm-Salm} 
PRINCE  SALM — (To  Bazaine")  So  all  goes  well? 
PRINCESS  SALM —  Who  can  o'erlook  the  fact? 

Your  excellency  thanks  me,  do  you  not? 
BAZAINE — 'Twas    not    of  that    he  spoke.   You  know  the 

bells 

Which  like  the  woman  in  the  old  ballad 
We  vow  shall  not  ring  out. 
PRINCE  SALM —  Let's  try  the  punch — 


MAXIMILIAN  41 

PRINCESS  SALM — We  came  to  take  you  with  us. 

MLLE  PENA —  On  the  moment. 

His  excellency — 

BAZAINE —  Begged  another  dance. 

PRINCE  SALM — Can  it  be  stayed  until  we  drink  your  health? 

PRINCESS  SALM  ( M ock  serious ) — Ah!  excellency? 

BAZAINE —  But  mademoiselle  you  see — 

Knows  friends  of  mine,  and  here  in  Mexico 

How  charming  to  exclaim,  why  you  remember — 

He  got  a  fortune,  or  she  wedded  ill — 

Or  so  and  so  is  dead;  or  so  and  so 

Has  been  promoted,  is  a  colonel  now — 

PRINCESS  SALM — Of  which  things  you  have  uttered  not  a 

word. 

MLLE  PENA — In  truth,  your  highness — yes  I  beg  of  you. 
PRINCE  SALM — And  now  the  punch. 
PRINCESS  SALM —          Or  General  Salas  drinks 
The  last  of  it. 

(  They  start  to  go  out.      As  they  do  so  a  distant 

bell  rings. ) 

PRINCE  SALM —  That  sound. 

MLLE  PENA —  It  tolls  the  hour. 

BAZAINE — That  wings  the  moments  of  this  happy  dance. 

(The  bell  rings  rapidly] 
But  what  was  that? 

PRINCE  SALM —  Can  it  be  possible? 

BAZAINE — Where's  Lopez — 
MLLE  PENA —  Your  excellency  is  grave. 

BAZAINE —  Your  pardon 

May  I  conduct  you? 

MLLE  PENA —  'Tis  a  custom  here. 

BAZAINE — Yes,  when  they  celebrate. 
PRINCE  SALM —  They  ring  the  bells. 

{Prince  Salm-Salm  and  Bazaine  escort  the  Prin 
cess  and  Mademoiselle  de  la  Pena  to  the  group 
near  the  throne.  Enter  Lopez} 


42  MAXIMILIAN 

BAZAINE — (  To  him)  We  are  outwitted. 

LOPEZ —  Heard  you  that? 

BAZAINE —  Well  Lopez 

Is  this  a  case  for  discipline? 

LOPEZ —  Your  pardon — 

I  followed  every  detail  of  the  order. 

{A  more  general  ringing.      Enter   Miramon   ana 

Mejia) 

MIRAMON — They  celebrate. 
PRINCE  SALM —  The  Liberals! 

BAZAINE —          (  To  Lopez}          Go  at  once — 
And  you  Mejia,  quell  it  if  you  can. 

(  Lopez  and  Mejia  go  out.      The  ringing  and  the 

sound  of  musketry  become  very  loud.      The 

guests  crowd  into  the  throne  room. ) 
A  MAN — The  Liberals  are  here. 
ANOTHER —  The  city's  taken. 

ANOTHER — Fly  all  of  you! 

ANOTHER —  'Tis  nothing  but  a  fire. 

ANOTHER — The  guns — protect  his  majesty. 
A  WOMAN  {Falling  on  her  knees) — Oh  mercy — 
ANOTHER — They're  in  the  castle — 
A  MAN —  Bar  the  outer  doors — 

( Great  noise  and 
confusion} 

MAXIMILIAN — What  is  this  wild  disorder? 
GEN.  SALAS  {Entering  intoxicated} — Live  the  empire! 
BAZAINE —  Silence. 

MAXIMILIAN  {Stepping  from  the  throne} — I 
Command  to  know. 

{A  silence  by  the  company.       The  noise  without 

continuing. ) 

PRINCE  SALM  {Aside) — Who  has  the  heart  to  speak? 
BAZAINE  {Aside) — Permit  the  priest! 
LABASTIDA  (  Cooly) —  Your  majesty  I  grieve 

The  Liberals  have  taken  Tampico. 


MAXIMILIAN 


43 


CARLOTTA — Your  reverence  knew  this  and  from  us  con 
cealed  it? 

LABASTIDA  (  Continuing} — And  Metamoras. 

BAZAINE  (Aside^) —  How  the  priest  rejoices. 

LABASTIDA  (Continuing} — The  United  States  accredits  to 
Juarez 

A  minister.      And  General  Sherman  comes 

To  see  what  aid  of  arms  the  Liberals  need. 

CARLOTTA — Hence  all  of  you! 

LABASTIDA  (  Continuing} — In  sympathy  with  this 

A  riot  rulmines  in  our  capital. 

MAXIMILIAN — Bazaine,  the  troops! 
CURTAIN. 


ACT    TWO 


A 


state  room  in  the  palace;  on  the  left  a  throne; 
on  the  right  a  council  table  surrounded  by 
chairs.  Members  of  the  ministry  discover 
ed  at  the  table. 


A  MINISTER — So  this  awaits  the  imperial  sanction? 

ANOTHER —  Yes. 

THE  FIRST — A  somewhat  useless  routine. 

ANOTHER —  I  approve  it — 

ANOTHER — And  I;  for  when  the  black  decree  was    issued 

I  thought  it  should  except  the  president 

His  generals  and  other  men  of  state; 

Unless  his  majesty  should  order  death. 

ANOTHER — His  majesty  did  make  a  reservation 

In  case  Juarez  should  be  captured. 

ANOTHER —  True ! 

THE  LAST — Now  Mariscali  profits  by  that  spirit. 

ANOTHER — But  dies! 

ANOTHER —  Alas 

MINISTER  OF  FINANCE — {Holding  a  paper) 

More  money  for  the  French. 
ANOTHER — Now  will  the  army  stick? 
ANOTHER —  Bazaine  has  wedded. 

Of  course  we  ratify  the  emperor's  deed, 
By  which  the  bride  is  dowered  of  San  Cosme — 
For  there  the  twain  keep  royal  state  and  least 

(45) 


46  MAXIMILIAN 

The  hungry  French;  so  if  we  had  the  power 

'Tvvould  work  embarrassment  to  stay  the  seal 

Of  our  consent. 

ANOTHER —  But  thus  the  treasure  goes — 

In  gifts  to  those  whose  hearts  are  alien  to  us. 

ANOTHER — His  majesty? 

(They  rise  as  Maximilian  enters) 

MAXIMILIAN — •  The  orders  are  prepared 

Then  I  will  sign  them,  I  indulge  the  hope 
No  meeting  will  be  needful  in  my  absence. 
Her  majesty  is  regent  and  will  call  you. 
I  thank  you  for  your  aid.      To  all  adieu! 

(  They  bow  and  walk  away. ) 
A  MINISTER — His  majesty  departs. 

ANOTHER —  How  pale  he  is. 

ANOTHER — What  does  it  mean? 

ANOTHER —  But  when  will  he  return 

ANOTHER — I'm  loath  to  credit  it. 
ANOTHER —  You  may  believe  me. 

(  They  go  out) 
MAXIMILIAN — In  early    youth  when     first  the    rapturous 

blood 

Mounts  up  with  giddy  vigor  to  the  brain 
How  light  in  dreams  of  empire  weigh  the  deeds 
Of  those  who  ruled  the  world.      How  hard  to  rule ! 
For  what  avails  those  years  of  patient  toil 
Beneath  the  student's  lamp,  if  now  I  fail 
Before  these  questions,  which  my  youthful  thought 
Gave  me  equipment  for  the  mastery. 
Foes,  armies,  hatred,  dread  assassination 
The  strategy  of  states,  the  court's  cabal 
Or  intertwined  intrigue,  these  were  the  shades 
Which  kings  of  yore  encountered  and  subdued- 
Whilst  I  the  son  of  Kings,  and  by  their  strife 
Inheriting  the  fine  and  finished  sense 
For  their  defeat,  must  think,  but  cannot  act. 


MAXIMILIAN  47 

But  oh  for  health  again,  and  for  the  spirit 
Of  dauntless  enterprise.      Yes,  1  will  seek 
Midst  quiet  scenes  the  soaring  soul  of  youth 
And  try  again  to  do  it.      Ye  matchless  dead 
Who  slumber  in  me,  wake  that  1  may  be 
The  aid  of  fate,  the  builder  of  a  throne. 
And  as  ye  dealt,  myself  to  deal  as  well 
In  blood  and  gold — Nor  longer  feel  my  cheek 
Burning  behind  the  idle  mask  of  King. 
My  spirit  shall  not  wither  in  your  presence! 

(A  silence) 

Nor  will  I  analyze  the  varying  shades 
Of  good  and  ill  that  shift  in  my  decision — 
I  will,  I  act,  it  is  the  emperor — 
So  Mariscali  dies! 

(He  sits  and  writes,  Car  lot  ta  enters.) 
CARLOTTA —  Forever  writing. 

(He  looks  up.) 

MAXIMILIAN — 'Tis  you.      I  thought  the  sun  was  shining. 
CARLOTTA —  Sweetheart! 

You've  made  me  weep  with  these. 

(  Handling  a  string  of  pearls.  ) 

Ah  Ferdinand — 

These  are  the  peaceful  days  at  Miramar — 
Turned  by  the  alchemy  of  memory — 
And  by  these  shifting  shades  of  Meeting  glory 
Holding  within  themselves  those  perished  sunsets 
Which  burned  along  the  Adriatic  wave, 
Until  they  mingled  in  that  moonlit  sky 
Of  white  pellucid  air — which  makes  the  pearl. 
You  love  me  yet  as  in  my  girl -hood — yes? 
MAXIMILIAN — How  can  you  ask? 
CARLOTTA —  You  ne'er  forget  my  birthday. 

Well,  one  is  young  at  twenty-six,  1   think. 
But  all  the  morning  I  have  I  heard  a  ringing 
Of  Miramar. 


48  MAXIMILIAN 

MAXIMILIAN —  And  I  have  heard  the  bells. 

CARLOTTA — I  scarce  can  bear  to  have  you  go  from  me. 

MAXIMILIAN — Nor  should  I  go! 

CARLOTTA —  And  yet  the  doctor  wills  it. 

MAXIMILIAN — I  cannot  hold  my  hand,  see  how  it  trembles. 

CARLOTTA — That's  from  the  fever — 

MAXIMILIAN —  Yes  of  life — ! 

CARLOTTA —  Of  life? 

Now  don't  be  sad. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I'm  over-worked,   Carlotta 

And  every  day  brings  news  of  evil  import; 

The  United  States  have  dealt  a  staggering  blow. 

I  doubt  if  we  can  rally  from  the  shock — 

CARLOTTA — Napoleon  keeps  his  army 

MAXIMILIAN —  Here's  the  order — 

Which  dedicates  to  him  the  revenues 

Of  Vera  Cruz,  our  only  port,  and  makes 

As  a  trap  of  the  Austrian  prince  who  once 

Held  the  succession  of  the  Austrian  throne. 

'Twas  bitter,  bitter.      For  in  spite  of  all — 

My  pressing  need,  the  help  that  he  could  be — 

The  rude  insistence  of  his  blunt  demands 

Struck  harshly — Nor  content  with  this  he  threatens 

To  take  the  French  away  without  allowance 

Wherein  I  might  amass  a  native  army 

To  hold  the  throne. 

CARLOTTA —  Alas!  I  too  have  wondered! 

What  stays  the  empire  if  they  did  their  duty  ? 

It  is  a  nothing  that  one  cannot  grasp. 

MAXIMILIAN — This  very  empire,  like  a  ship  becalmed, 

Waits  for  some  nameless  favor,  held  by  nothing. 

This  canopy  is  made  the  perch  of  nothing. 

Napoleon  First  took  Moscow  and  found  nothing.  ; 

Napoleon  Third  took  Mexico — 

CARLOTTA —  My  lord 

The  thought  you  raise  outruns  the  dreadful  words. 


MAXIMILIAN  49 

MAXIMILIAN — The  sword  leaps  out   for  foes  and  reaches 

nothing. 

'Tis  here,  'tis  here,  'tis  gone,  it  is  a  voice, 
An  ignis  fatuus  flitting  through  a  marsh. 
A  shadow  with  the  power  of  death,  a  fear — 
A  breath  blown  icy  from  the  lips  of  fate. 
Rumor  of  pestilence  in  the  sunny  air — 
Venomous  motes  that  move  about  unseen. 
A  viewless  barrier  more  stern  than  steel. 
A  crushing  imminence  that  laughs  at  us — 
The  pregnant  messages  of  kings  that  glide 
Like  magic  under  seas,  armies  afar 
That  strike  not  and  yet  enervate  our  rule. 
CARLOTTA — Oh   Maximilian!  Maximilian! 
MAXIMILIAN — There!  there!  how  foolish  of  me. 
CARLOTTA —  No! 

You  cannot  hide  what  I  see  far  too  well — 
I  know  this  problem.      Yes,  I  feel  its  weight — 
Yet  not  the  teaching  of  that  master  mind 
Which  was  my  father's,  lately  passed  away 
Who  hoped  to  school  his  daughter  in  the  craft 
Which  pilots  states,  avails  the  least  for  me — 
It  flies  us,  it  escapes  and  hides  in  darkness — 
I  feel  at  times  my  mind — "  ah — 

MAXIMILIAN —  Horrible! 

Silence ! 

CARLOTTA —  What  did  I  say?  Not  that! 

But  save  me  from  this  shadow,  fold  me  to  you — 
This  ghostly  nothing  which  you  pictured  so — 
Freezes  my  blood!  I  would  not  have  you  leave 
MAXIMILIAN — Not     leave     you?      Ah     Carlotta     if  but 

heaven 

Would  see  and  pity! 

CARLOTTA —  Sir,  your  soldier's  spirit! 

God  pities  those  who  fall  on  the  redoubt 
Not  those  who  shrink — Go  gladly,  Maximilian — 


5° 


MAXIMILIAN 


I'm  regent;  I  will  act:     For  never  falls — 

This  throne,  the  gift  of  God.    I  spurn  aside 

These  hints  of"  abdication.      Under  foot 

I  tread  the  enmity  of  all  the  world — 

And  if  we  fall,  let's  fall  with  majesty! 

Why  even  last  night  I  fancied  you  and   I 

Strolled  by  the  fluted  waves  of  Miramar. 

Yet  did  it  seem,  so  strangely  are  these  visions, 

We  walked  the  balcony  of  the  palace  here 

Breathing  again  the  words  of  love  and  hope 

Of  Miramar  in  the  sweet  days  long  past. 

When  of  a  sudden  in  the  middle  north 

Upsprung  the  terrible  sun  and  smote  the  moon 

So  fiercely  that  it  writhed  away  like  mist, 

And  all  the  stars  dissolved  in  seas  of  dawn, 

Save  for  one  planet  burning  a  dull  red 

Low  to  the  east  whither  the  soft  bats  flew: 

Thus  charmed  with  this  sorcery  of  light 

Chapultepec  dissolved — 

{She  pauses — ) 

MAXIMILIAN — What  idle  dreams — 

CARLOTTA — But  if  it  means  the  falling  of  the  empire 

Or  even  death,  I'm  nerved  to  meet  the  fate — 

There's  something  else — 

MAXIMILIAN — Carlotta  come  with  me! 

CARLOTTA — There's  something  else! 

(  While  she  is  talking  the  strand  of  pearls 
slip  from  her  hand  and  falling  on  the  floor 
scatter.  ) 

Who  cast  this  fateful  spell 

Ah  look!  the  pearls  themselves  cry  out  to  us — 

Is  it  our  benefactions  thrown  away 

Our  treasure  wasted  on  ungracious  subjects 

Or  something  else?     Too  terrible  to  think! 

How  foolish  of  us  both. 

MAXIMILIAN —  For  shame  Carlotta. 


MAXIMILIAN  51 

CARLOTTA — My  father  would  have  boxed  my  ears  for  this, 
I'll  pick  them  up. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Yes,  break  the  occult  charm. 

CARLOTTA — I've  found  them  everyone — 
MAXIMILIAN —  Now  sweet  Carlotta 

No  more  such  moods  as  this  for  either  of  us — 
Before  I  go  I  would  impart  to  you — 
Some  counsel;  we  will  talk  as  I  make  ready. 
CARLOTTA — And  from   my   cabinet  I'll  show  you   some 
thing 

A  document  all  brightly  tied  with  ribbons, 

My  birthday  greetings  sent  from  Yucatan 

MAXIMILIAN — That's  from  your  visit. 

CARLOTTA — -  I  am  holy  empress, 

Friend  of  the  church — 

MAXIMILIAN —  They  thrust  me  thus  obliquely — 

Preserve  these  orders —  Go!  I'll  come  at  once 
{He  resumes  writing} 

CARLOTTA — (Aside) 

My  heart  is  breaking!     Still  must  I  endure! 

(  Carlotta  walks  away  and  at  the  entrance  reels 
but  steadies  herself  against  the  wall ) 

CARLOTTA — Come  to  me — 

(  Maximilian  drops  his  pen,  goes  to  her  and  assists 
her  out.  As  they  go  out  Bazaine  and  Labastida 
enter  and  pause  looking  after  them.} 

LABASTIDA —  See!  she  swoons — 

BAZAINE —  The  children  are  not  well. 

{Aside)  I  wonder  not  she  swoons.      The  crisis  comes! 

LABASTIDA — Then  I'll  go  on. 

BAZAINE —  Your  reverence  stay,  with  me, 

You  may  see  that  which  will  revive  your  hopes 

{Aside)  I'll  use  the  priest. 

LABASTIDA —  'Tis  piteous  to  see 

Things  drift  and  drift.      Moreover  sir  your  master 

Is  one  with  Maximilian  'gainst  the  church. 


52  MAXIMILIAN 

BAZAINE — I'm  not.      And  even  they  may  change;   you 

know 

Time  conjugates  the  will  of  emperors, 
What  is  becomes  what  was,  and  what  has  been. 
The  future  tense  their  grammar  ne'er  expresses — 
LABASTIDA — You  call  it  grammar? 
BAZAINE —  Or  astrology. 

You  have  been  wronged. 

LABASTIDA —  Much  more  we  were  deceived 

BAZAINE — Your  reverence  is  much  too  cynical 
Write  failure  on  your  tomb;  wear  not  the  badge 
Like  some  marked  package.      Have  an  eye  to  thrift 
The  harvest  ripens;  when  the  winter  comes — 
The  ungathered  corn  is  lost. 

LABASTIDA —  You  speak  in  riddles 

BAZAINE — His  majesty  is  very  fond  of  me — 

{Produces  a  paper*) 

LABASTIDA —  A  deed! 

BAZAINE — A  palace  for  my  wedding  gift  Monsignor — 
LABASTIDA — Then  'tis  not  merely  that  he  loves  the  people 
That  keeps  the  church's  property  with  them? 
BAZAINE — My  morning's  errand  here  is  quite  peculiar — 
LABASTIDA — In  truth!  To  thank  his  majesty,  perhaps? 
BAZAINE — How  then  peculiar?   Might  I  ask  Monsignor — 
If  I  do  ought  which  in  the  course  of  things 
Bobs  up  to  your  advantage — throw  a  stone 
Which  ultimately  strikes  and  helps  you  on — 
Prevent  some  move — or  by  a  crafty  impact — 
Give  speed  to  your  desires — you  understand 
I  promise  no  results,  but  let  you  gamble 
And  give  you  the  per  centum  of  success — 
What  will  you  do? 

LABASTIDA —  I  leave  the  act  to  you? 

But  if  you  promise  me  to  lend  your  hand 
How  so  you  will,  I  trust  you  to  do  well — 
Fortune,  pours  in,  your  hand,  ten  thousand  dollars — 


MAXIMILIAN  53 

This  very  day.      And  when  it  comes  to  pass — 

More  money  for  you  that  will  make  this  palace 

Too  poor  for  you. 

BAZAINE —  I'll  do  it  Labastida! 

For  I  hold  here  a  secret  that  will  shake 

The  empire.      And  it's  time  to  use  the  hands 

Before  the  prompter  rings  the  curtain  down 

And  robbers  without  tickets  grab  the  box. 

I  do  suspect — or  to  speak  otherwise 

I  am  inspired;  and  grab  the  flapping  skirts 

Of  passing  inspiration. 

LABASTIDA —  You  delight  me! 

BAZAINE — Oh  fie,  oh  faugh,  oh  zounds,  oh  everything 

Profane  and  sacred  that  it  comes  to  this — 

To  day  dreams — catalepsy — addled  wits. 

Such  is  this  scheme  of  empire;   and  the  man 

Picked  out  to  rule,  is  praised,  as  if  it  were 

The  all  in  all,  because  he  loves  his  wife — 

Then  get  my  money!   For  you  want  your  lands — 

And  Maximilian  wants  all  Mexico. 

And  Europe  wants  his  majesty  to  have  it. 

How  well  I  know  the  story  and  you  know  it — 

The  banded  monarchs  prod  themselves  to  fury. 

"This  country  owes  us  money"  cries  the  first. 

LABASTIDA — "They  have  despised  our  flag,"  another  says. 

BAZAINE — "We  must  protect  our  ministers  and  subjects." 

LABASTIDA — "A  stable  government  must  be  established." 

BAZAINE — "The  natives  pass  our  envoy  on  the  side-walk." 

LABASTIDA — "Some  school-boys  bit  their  thumbs  at  our 

legation. 

They  will  not  trade  with  us;  they  have  abstained — " 
BAZAINE — "From  opium  and  bibles.      They  protest — " 
LABASTIDA — "Our  goods  are  cheats.      They   wound  our 

missionaries. ' ' 
BAZAINE — With  questions  like — "Whence  came  the  wife 

of  Cain?" 


54  MAXIMILIAN 

LABASTIDA — "They  are    not  civilized  —  they    kill    each 

other." 
BAZAINE — "With  knives — They're  prone,  to  revolutions, 

Blood 

Must  cease  to  flow, — " 

LABASTIDA —  "And  blood  cures  blood" — 

BAZAINE —  And  so — 

A  manifesto  and  a  dozen  war-ships 
To  shame  dishonor  and  to  cow  rebellion 
Grape-shot — 

LABASTIDA —  Puebla 

BAZAINE —  Mexico  at  last 

A  throne  stuck  on  Napoleon's  bayonets 

And  two  young  creatures,  very  tall  and  fair 

Escorted  'twixt  a  rabble  of  dark  faces — 

That  shouted  vivas  with  a  garlic  breath. 

LABASTIDA — And  empire — 

BAZAINE —  Yes,  a  dangerous  toy  for  children — 

I  see  that  o'er  topped  brow  before  me  now 

Crushing  upon  the  silken-whiskered  chin — 

He  should  have  mine.      The  puckered  Hapsburg  mouth 

The  baby  eyes  in  which  the  shadows  flit — 

LABASTIDA — Shed  from  the  vampire  wings  of  feudalism — 

BAZAINE — Disorder,  riot,  tangled  circumstance, 

Spies  in  the  city.      Liberal  opposition 

Wounded  but  crawling  to  its  hiding  place 

Where  it  regathers  venom  and  returns 

To  strike — 

(  The  sound  of  objects  being  moved  is  heard. ) 

Perhaps! 

( A  lackey  appears  at  the  rear   carrying  baggage.  ) 
He  abdicates! 

(  Turning  around  to  the  lackey)  You  stop! 

(  To  Lab  as  ti  da) 

The  emperor  flies!  I  stop  it.      Get  my  money. 
Have  I  preserved  to  you  a  chance  of  winning? 


MAXIMILIAN  55 

Yes,  when  the  empire  falls  you  lose  forever — 

LABASTIDA — "Tis  true,  my  thanks. 

BAZAINE  (  To  the  lackey) — Go  take  the  baggage  back. 

(  To  Labastida) 

Some  reason  to  him,  for  his  master's  sake — 
(  To  the  lackey)  The  enemy  is  camped  near  Orizaba 
'Twould  jeopard  much  the  emperor's  sacred  person 
To  travel  thence.      Announce  my  presence  here. 
Take  back  the  baggage.  (  The  lackey  bows  and  obeys. ) 

LABASTIDA — Oh!   Lucky  stroke. 
BAZAINE —  Thrice  happy  inspirations 

Think  what  it  means.      The  emperor  abdicates, — 
Departs  in  secret — leaves  Napoleon's  army — 
With  nothing  but  a  vacant  throne  to  guard. 
And  we  trail  after,  hauling  through  the  dust 
The  eagles;   tingling  in  our  very  backs, 
And  drawing  in  that  scope  of  rounded  flesh 
God  made  to  kick,  as  from  a  sort  of  instinct. 
Drooped,  spiritless  before  the  bitter  sneers 
Of  what  they  call  the  great  United  States. 
Hooted  from  Mexico!  with  lofty  gestures 
Waved  hence  like  lackeys.      I  decline  the  part. 
For  when  I  saw  the  empress  near  to  swooning 
1  knew  the  parting  words  were  being  said — 
Go  Labastida — 
LABASTIDA —  We  shall  meet  to-day. 

(Exit) 

BAZAINE — Old  friend,  myselt,  you've  grown  a  financier — - 
Which  is  to  use  and  seize  what  others  make — 
Well,  let  it  be  discount  of  backs  and  hands, 
Hopes  put  in  escrow,  happiness  impounded, 
I  was  the  pen  which  wrote  and  nothing  else — 
I  neither  made  the  empire  nor  will  break  it. 
If  heaven  breaks  it,  and  I  profit  by  it  — 
Who  has  been  wronged?  (Enter  Lopez.) 

You  keep  the  hour  with  me? 


56  MAXIMILIAN 

LOPEZ — I  thank  your  excellency,  for  I  am  grieved 

Quite  to  the  quick. 

BAZAINE —  Your  face  betrays  it,  Lopez. 

LOPEZ — I  loved,  I  love — 

BAZAINE —  But  why  invert  the  tense? 

LOPEZ — It  was  and  is. 

BAZAINE —  I  see.      'Twas  at  the  ball 

You  met  this  fair  one. 

LOPEZ —  And  I've  suffered  since — 

BAZAINE — You  meet? 

LOPEZ —  Each  day. 

BAZAINE —  You  have  been  reticent 

Yes  more  than  that,  there  should  have  been  a  wedding. 

LOPEZ — She's  plighted  now  — 

BAZAINE —  Ah  sir,  a  liaison? 

LOPEZ — She's  Mariscali's  wife. 

BAZAINE —  The  General? 

I'm  dumb!  But  softly,  for  you  know  my  friend 

Her  widow's  weeds  are  growing. 

LOPEZ —  I  would  nip  them. 

BAZAINE — Self-sacrifice!  I  see  the  noble  stuff 

Where6f  your  love  is  made 

LOPEZ —  'Twas  years  ago — 

BAZAINE — So  says  the  story  book — 

LOPEZ —  Our  love  began — 

But  under  evil  stars.      There  was  a  woman — 

BAZAINE — And  her  name  was  Eve. 

LOPEZ —  I  was  the  tempter  too 

But  then  as  well  the  tempted 

BAZAINE —  As  of  old 

You  shared,  the  apple. 

LOPEZ —  Then  I  tired  of  her — 

BAZAINE — Of  course  you  strove  to  throw  away  the  core, 

Wipe  off  your  mouth,  deny  the  wickedness 

And  say  I  never  touched  the  bitter  apple. 

LOPEZ — Prophetic  man !     Besides  there  was  the  child. 


MAXIMILIAN  57 

And  when  this  heaven  of  love  was  shown  to  me 

And  Madam  Mariscali  hoped  to  be 

My  wife — along  came  number  one — 

BAZAINE —  I  see 

LOPEZ — And  wrecks  my  peace  and  so  our  lives  divided — 

Can  I  forget  the  sad  farewells  we  said 

When  she  with  eyes  made  soft  by  tears  and  sorrow 

Looked  love  at  me,  and  with  a  quivering  voice 

Whispered  those  words  of  hopeless  hope — "I  love  you." 

Then  did  we  vow  to  stand  as  friends  forever — 

Forever — in  this  life  whate'er  betide. 

And  by  that  vow  and  by  its  sacred  hour 

I  mean  to  save  her  husband,  if  I  can. 

BAZAINE — 'Tis  madness,  for  the  order  has  been  signed. 

LOPEZ — I  plotted  at  the  trial 

BAZAINE —  He  was  convicted. 

LOPEZ — I'll  see  his  majesty. 

BAZAINE —  Where  is  she,  sir? 

LOPEZ — Within  my  call. 

BAZAINE —  You're  overbold,   I  think. 

Is  this  not  treason 

LOPEZ —  Call  it  what  you  will — 

BAZAINE — Be  still,  he  comes. 

LOPEZ —  I  cry  to  you  for  help. 

Appeal  to  him ! 

BAZAINE —    (  Thinking} 

I'm  logical  good  man. 
I  gave  my  counsel  for  the  black  decree — 
And  lack  a  reason  for  its  intermission 
In  Mariscali' s  case.      Not  so  with  you — 
And  less  with  her  whose  loss  impends  to-day. 
I  have  a  plan. 

LOPEZ  She  weeps  so  softly,  cries 

With  such  a  piteous  moan.      And  raves  by  turns; 
If  I  were  emperor,  I  could  not  shut 
My  sympathy  against  her. 


58  MAXIMILIAN 

BAZAINE —  Listen  then— 

Go  bring  her  here,  conceal  her  near  the  door. 

The  emperor  departs,  but  I  will  hold  him 

'Till  you  have  come.      Now  haste — the  emperor's  step! 

When  you  return,  walk  in,  make  your  appeal — 

When  he  refuses  let  her  rush  before  him 

With  such  impetuous  begging  for  her  husband 

As  will  convulse  his  soul.      Go  sir — 

(Exit  Lopez} 

Another  blow 

To  break  his  resolution.      For  these  women 
Are  tigerish  creatures,  scratch  if  you  demur — • 
Hell  hath  no  fury  like  a  woman,  scorned — 
That  phrase  was  meant  for  Mexico !     And  even 
If  what  I  did  should  fail,  this  startling  trap 
Which  opens  with  a  pop  and  out  she  comes 
With  tears  and  storms  of  words  will  overcome  him — 
He  shall  not  abdicate. 

(  Enter  Maximilian  ) 

Your  majesty 

Would  1  could  grant  your  majesty  protection ! 
MAXIMILIAN — What  is  the  matter? 
BAZAINE —  Travel  is  dangerous — 

A  riot  brews  at  Orizaba 

MAXIMILIAN—  Why! 

That's  very  strange. 

BAZAINE —  The  South  is  in  turmoil. 

Nor  is  it  possible  to  check  advances 
Of  Liberal  troops;  and  then  there  are  guerillas. 
Here  in  the  Capitol  but  yester-night 
They  hooted  old  Mejia. 

MAXIMILIAN—  Why   I  pray? 

BAZAINE — He  made  a  speech. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Mejia  is  discreet — 

What  did  he  say? 
BAZAINE —  What  everyone  should  say — 


MAXIMILIAN  59 

Long  live  the  Emperor  Maximilian  first! 

MAXIMILIAN — Here  in  the  city  ?   (  With  amazement. ) 

BAZAINE —  But  they  caught  the  culprits. 

This  happened  near  the  bull-ring,  being  Friday 

The  effigy  of  Judas  was  hung  up 

And  dangled  from  the  wall.      Some  curious  person 

Turned  it  around  and  there  upon  its  breast 

Appeared  a  card  bearing  the  name  Juarez — 

First  there  were  murmurs,  afterward  the  cries 

Of  treason  and  then  screeches  of  derision, 

And  then  a  bedlam  of  tumultuous  sound — 

Until  the  soldiers  smoothed  the  matter  over. 

MAXIMILIAN — Might  I  inquire,  can  you  police  the  city? 

BAZAINE — {Aside}  I'll  not  return  that  parry. 

(To  Maximilian}  I  obey! 
Your  majesty  has  heard  the  dreadful  news — 
Count  Kurtzroch  has  been  murdered  by  guerillas. 
MAXIMILIAN — That  noble  Austrian !    I  grieve  indeed. 
BAZAINE — Two  Frenchmen  taken  captive  near  Puebla 
Were  buried  in  the  sand  all  but  their  heads 
And  these  the  wolves  devoured. 

MAXIMILIAN —  How  horrible ! 

BAZAINE — A  stage  coach  was  attacked  six  leagues  from  here 
The  passengers  were  murdered. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Stay  Bazaine — 

BAZAINE — Some  Union  troops  and  General  Sheridan — 
Have  taken  station  near  the  Rio  Grande — 
For  Washington  lays  down  its  ultimatum 
The  French  must  take  the  troops  from  Mexico. 
The  northern  country  swarms  with   Liberals — 
And  movements  in  the  South — 

MAXIMILIAN — (  Weakly}  I  pray  you  spare  me. 

(  With  resolution}  I  lay  the  empire  under  siege  to-day — 
Proceed  Bazaine,  San  Luis  shall  be  taken, 
Juarez  captured  if  he  can  be  found 
And  every  rebel  general  in  the  field — 


60  MAXIMILIAN 

This  Mariscali  dies.      How  fit  it  is. 

'Tis  felon's  blood  that  stops  the  hand  of  treason — 

I  will  the  siege;  be  swift  to  execute  it. 

BAZAINE — Your  majesty  might  I  inquire  what  troops 

Shall  do  this  work? 

MAXIMILIAN —  The  troops  of  France!  {A  silence} 

BAZAINE — I  have  not  seen  the  order  of  Napoleon. 

MAXIMILIAN — I  will  it  sir.      The  troops  are  mine.      Your 

master 

Receives  my  revenues.    I  pay  the  troops 
Thousands  have  sworn  allegiance  to  me. 
BAZAINE — Believe  me  'tis  a  thought  that  stifles  me 
France  cannot  war  with  the  United  States — 
And  what  your  majesty  commands  of  me — 
Awakes  the  bugle's  voice.      Monroe  is  dead, 
But  lives  in  spirit.      And  to  seize  Juarez — 
Whom  Washington  through  the  official  eye 
Regards  as  ruler  of  the  Mexicans — 
Strips  off  the  scabbard.      France  declines  the  fight. 
MAXIMILIAN — I  have  commanded. 

BAZAINE —  And  I  have  explained — 

MAXIMILIAN — Since  you  resist,  and  doing  so  command, 
While  I  obey;  since  you  are  emperor 
Might  I  solicit  counsel  on  these  problems 
Which  close  like  circling  fire  about  the  throne. 
Bazaine  there  is  such  reason  in  your  words — 
I  lay  the  watchword  of  " Beware"  aside — 
And  drink  your  speech. 

BAZAINE —  I   know  that  you  suspect  me, 

I'm  hurt  indeed 

(Enter  a  lackey} 
LACKEY —  The  president  of  the  council. 

(Enter  the  president} 

PRESIDENT — Your  majesty  I  crave  an  audience. 
MAXIMILIAN — (  To  £azaiffe)You  may  withdraw.     But  of 

these  serious  matters 


MAXIMILIAN  61 

There's  more  to  say.      What  is  the  business  sir? 

(Bazaine  goes  to  a  side  room) 
PRESIDENT — Our  resignations. 

(Hands  Maximilian  a  paper.) 

MAXIMILIAN —  All  the  ministers? 

PRESIDENT — Your  majesty ! 
MAXIMILIAN — (  Feebly  and  confused}  I  cannot  understand 

it. 

Why  sir,  this  extraordinary  act — 
Just  on  the  eve  of  my  enforced  departure 
Thus  bluntly  heralded,  I  ask  to  know? 
PRESIDENT — Your  majesty  has  heard  of  the  excitement, 
We  learn  your  majesty  departs. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I   go 

To  Orizaba 

PRESIDENT —  Rumors  fill  the  streets 

Your  majesty  departs  for  Vera  Cruz 
En  route  to  Austria.      In  short  we  hear 
Your  majesty  has  abdicated. 

MAXIMILIAN — {Astonished}  Sir — 

Upon  that  point  'tis  useless  to  debate — 
They  are  accepted ! 

(  He  motions  the  president  away  who  goes 

out.) 

Ah!  I've  grown  so  poor 

My  very  word  is  doubted — Hence  my  crown! 
Hence  gaudy  symbol  of  evanished  power! 
Or  else,  come  spirit  of  the  mighty  Charles — 
Fill  me  with  courage,  wisdom,   resolution, 
That  with  a  hand  of  steel  I  may  grasp  up 
Such  slimy  things  as  sprawl  about  my  steps 
And  strangle  them. 

(He  rings.  Enter  a  lackey] 
Go  bring  the  baggage  back. 
LACKEY — Your  majesty  I  was  about  to  take  it — 
MAXIMILIAN — Then  do  not. 


62  MAXIMILIAN 

LACKEY —  — His  excellency — 

(  Maximilian  motions  him  away. ) 

Forbade  me ! 

MAXIMILIAN — Bazaine?  (Re-enter  Bazaine) 
BAZAINE —  Your  majesty  desires  me? 

MAXIMILIAN —  Yes! 

The  lackey  says  you  countermanded  me. 
BAZAINE — Your  majesty,  he  did  not  understand — 
In  this  disorder  I  was  apprehensive — 
MAXIMILIAN — Then  sir  you  told  him — 
BAZAINE —  Not  to  take  the  baggage, 

Travel  is  perilous  to  Orizaba ! 
I  hope  I  have  not  trespassed. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Quite  too  far. 

BAZAINE — (Aside)    The  tow  awaits  the  spark.      Be  kind 

Bazaine 
MAXIMILIAN — (Angrily)  At  last  I  see    the   cunning  plot 

you  wove — 

You  too  have  heard  I  fly  to  Austria — 
BAZAINE — Your  majesty — 

MAXIMILIAN —  That  I  have  abdicated — 

BAZAINE — In  truth  I  did — • 

MAXIMILIAN —  And  you  believe  it,  sir? 

BAZAINE — 'Twas  credible! 

MAXIMILIAN —  And  so  you  stop  my  baggage — 

Shed  panic  on  my   ministry. 

BAZAINE —  They're  wise 

To  scamper  from  the  storm;  for  if  Juarez — 
Should  find  a  royal  cabinet  when  he  comes — 
There  would  be  throats  to  stick.      They  know  it  well, 
And  like  repentant  scoundrels  facing  death 
They  take  this  sacrament  to  purchase  peace! 
MAXIMILIAN — Well  have  you  done? — It  serves  your  royal 

master 

To  stop  my  flight,  if  flight  I  did  intend. 
But  if  1  will  to  abdicate  your  master 


MAXIMILIAN  63 

Will  have  sufficient  chance  to  take  the  troops 
From  Mexico.      And  furthermore  Bazaine 
Since  the  United  States  give  you  concern 
T  crave  to  reassure  you  I  shall   never 
Furnish  the  circumstance  for  them  to  laugh, 
Nor  leave  you  here  to  play  the  game  alone. 
BAZAINE — I'm  innocent  of  all  that  you  impute. 
MAXIMILIAN — Yet  'tis  a  grievous  breach  of  etiquette 
A  piece  of  small  chicane  to  stop  my  baggage — 
And  look  you  sir!  You  negative  the  siege 
Disarm  me  if  I  stay,   prevent  my  flight 
If  such  it  was — 

(/;/  sorrow)   God  be  my  hope  and  strength! 
And  be  your  judge — For  ah  it  is  the  virtue 
Of  monarchy  that  looks  to  Him  alone 
And  grounds  the  mobs  suspicious  looks  which  heeded 
Would  rent  the  throne.      Bazaine  adieu — 
BAZAINE — {Aside -re tiring)  Poor  boy! 

What  madness  drives  him  to  a  breach  with  me. 
'Tis  not  enough  to  beard  the  Vatican, 
Break  with  the  clericals,  but  he  must  haste 
The  day  that  wings  its  flight  toward  him  now — 
When  France  will  yield  to  the  United  States. 
I  pity  him.      Yes  more,  my  pity  moves  me — 

(He  walks  back) 

Your  majesty  1  crave  forgiveness! 
I  am  too  sensible  of  all  your  deeds 
Of  generous  friendship  thus  to  part. 

MAXIMILIAN — (Kindly;  but  not  yielding)  Bazaine! 

BAZAINE — Your  majesty —  ( As  Bazaine  goes  out  he  meets 
Lopez) 

(To  Lopez)    You  will  succeed! — I  think. 

(Exit) 

MAXIMILIAN — Lopez  well  come — Matters  of  state  forbid 
My  trip  to  Orizaba  and  impose — 
Fresh  enterprise.    Before  I  talk  of  these 


64  MAXIMILIAN 

I  pin  this  medal  on  your  loyal  breast 

Which  signifies  imperial  recognition 

Of  all  you  did  the  night  the  bells  were  rung 

And  other  services. 

LOPEZ —  I  am  unworthy ! 

MAXIMILIAN — You  master  leans    upon  you.      See    Prince 

Salm 

And  say  I  ask  him  and  the  Princess  here 
To  dine  with  us  to-night.     I  want  Mejia 
To  raise  a  native  army;  tell  him  so — 
Hint  that  you  heard  the  clericals  had  won; 
Fetch  Miramon  to  see  me  in  the  morning — 
To-day — I'll  make  the  very  minutes  work, 
Heaping  success  like  ants  that  never  tire — 
And  to  these  ends  make  haste. 

(He  removes  his  traveling  coat) 

LOPEZ —  I  have  a  cause 

Near  to  my  heart  to  plead.      Your  majesty 
If  ever  I  by  any  act  of  mine 
Have  stirred  your  majesty  to  thought  of  me 
Hear  me,  I  pray — 

MAXIMILIAN —  My  heart  is  open  Lopez — 

(Enter    a    lackey    and   announces    Miramon    and 

Labastida  ) 

Conduct  them  hither.      That's  a  glimpse  of  sky! 
What  warms  the  soul  of  Miramon  to  me? 
Postpone  your  suit — 

(Enter  Miramon  and  Labastida'} 

Your  reverence  would  see  me? 
LABASTIDA — To  pledge  my  service. 

MAXIMILIAN —  You  are  very  kind 

LABASTIDA — The  church  can  never  see  the  government 
Embarrassed  by  a  traitorous  ministry. 
MAXIMILIAN — It  is  a  day  for  courage. 
MIRAMON—  Yes  if  one 

Maintained  his  prestige. 


MAXIMILIAN  65 

MAXIMILIAN —  Prestige?     Miramon ! 

MIRAMON — Why  all  my  friends  on  me  have  turned    their 

backs 

They  say  of  me  why  look  at  Miramon 
He  lives  at  Paris,  woos  Napoleon's  ear 
And  maddens  Europe  with  the  church's  wrongs — 
He  hears — 

LABASTIDA —  And  sends  an  army  of  redress 

MIRAMON — The  Liberals  are  scattered  in  the  mountains. 
A  people's  love,  like  a  prophetic  spirit, 
Caught  up  your  majesty — 

LABASTIDA —  Upon  this  throne. 

MIRAMON — The  fault  is  mine.  I  told  them  from  my  heart 
Your  majesty  would  give  them  back  their  lands. 
And  what  your  majesty  has  done  for  me, 
With  medals,  benefits  and  offices — 
Past  all  my  worth  burns  like  a  robe  of  fire. 
The  bishops  say  my  importunities 
Have  dwindled  to  myself,  save  Labastida. 
LABASTIDA — Yes,  Miramon  I  know  your  heart 
MIRAMON —  Indeed, 

No  sooner  did  I  hear  this  dreadful  news 
Than  I  have  hurried  with  my  preferred  hand 
For  any  service  which  your  majesty 
Commands;  but  faith  what  can  I  do.  Yes  I — 
Once  ruler  of  the  Mexican  republic 
And  bringing  to  this  throne  a  life  of  strength 
Friends,  influence  and  all  that  years  of  thought 
Win  for  a  name.    Faith,  I  repeat  the  question, 
What  can  I  do,  when  every  clerical 
Rains  down  the  molten  pitch  of  malediction 
Upon  this  roof;  And  I  who  won  their  love 
With  promises  which  I  cannot  fulfil 
Go  forth  with  barren  and  abortive  hands 
To  seek  their  love  again,  must  pardoned  be 
It  failure  over-comes  me — 


66  MAXIMILIAN 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  the  people! 

MIRAMON — Who  are  the  church  and  friends;  And  for  the 

rest 

The  Liberals  are  foes,  do  what  we  will. 
In  state-craft  never  has  ennobled  justice 
Brought  prosperous  gales,  to  drive  the  vessel  straight; 
For  every  wind  that  blows  is  usable 
When  principles,  which  are  but  prejudices 
Are  hauled  to  deck — while  up  the  main-sail  goes — 
Which  with  expedient  skill  employs  the  zephyrs 
And  moves  the  ship,  but  God  moves  it  to  port; 
Nor  leaves  it  battling  nor  becalmed  to  rot 
This  side  the  sweeping  streams  of  destiny — 
For  when  this  empire  meets  the  onward  currents 
Much  can  be  done  which  now  must  be  postponed; 
And  polities  be  squared  with  idealism 
Which  now  to  vulgar  practice  are  reduced. 
MAXIMILIAN — Almost  you  make  me  friendly  to  the  church. 
LABASTIDA — (Aside)  You  heard  those  words 
MIRAMON —  Your  majesty  believe  me 

In  all  this  realm  no  truer  heart  than  mine 
Beats  for  the  throne.    Upon  my  solemn  oath 
Unless  the  clericals  are  pacified 
Farewell  to  hope! 

MAXIMILIAN-^ —  Suppose  the  French  depart. 

What  army  can  you  raise? 
MIRAMON —  Give  me  the  power! 

(A  silence) 

MAXIMILIAN — Go  see  Mejia.    And  good  Labastida 
Consult  the  church's  treasury,  I'll  think 
With  friendly  spirit  of  your  words — Go  each 
About  his  task. 

(Labastida  and  Miramon  go  out,   Lopez  remains) 

You  loiter. 

LOPEZ —  Yes  I  crave — 

An  audience  of  mv  cause — 


MAXIMILIAN  67 

MAXIMILIAN —  Another  time. 

LOPEZ — Your  majesty  will  pardon  my  insistence 

Delay  is  death. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Sir  you  are  pale! 

LOPEZ —  There's  one 

Who's  very  near  to  me.      If  I  deserve 

Your  majesty's  regard,  might  life  be  spared? 

MAXIMILIAN — 'Tis  rarely  that  the  throne  should  interfere, 

Who  is  the  wretch? 

LOPEZ —  I  pause  your  majesty — 

MAXIMILIAN — Then  if  the  suit  is  one  which  harrows  you 

Why  plead  it  sir? 

LOPEZ —  I  do  it  for  a  woman 

MAXIMILIAN — What  woman  near  to  you  must    reach    the 

throne, 

For  whom  delay  is  death? 

LOPEZ —  It  is  her  husband. 

'Tis  Mariscali's  wife. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Lopez  no  more! 

You  grieve,  you  startle  me.    What  fit  of  madness — 
Has  driven  you  to  this?    You  most  of  all — 
On  whom  suspicion  rests.    By  whom,  'tis  said, 
The  Mexican  republic  was  betrayed — 
Why  sir,  what  loss  of  wits  is  this  to  think 
The  throne  is  ignorant  of  your  career 
As  'tis  reported? 

LOPEZ —  By  my  enemies — 

MAXIMILIAN — But  yet  a  maiden's  guileless  reasoning 
Whereby  her  name  is  wrongly  tossed  about 
Would  grasp  this  situation.      Think  a  moment ! 
You  who  are  falsely  charged  give  color  to  it 
By  asking  me  to  pardon  Mariscali 
Whose  enmity  against  your  master's  throne 
Has  made  it  tremble.      And  you  give  no  reason — 
LOPEZ — I  love  his  wife — 
MAXIMILIAN —  Then  are  you  doubly  guilty 


68  MAXIMILIAN 

LOPEZ — If  I  could  tell  your  majesty 

MAXIMILIAN —  But   I 

Refuse  to  hear.      Seek  to  restore  that  mood 

Of  confidence  your  conduct  has  destroyed — 

And  to  your  business,  sir. 

LOPEZ —  Then  all  is  lost — 

(Enter  Madam  Mar  is  call} 

MADAM  MARISCALI — 'Twas  all  for  me!   And  by  the  God 
we  love 

Upon  my  knees  I  beg  your  majesty 

(She  flings  herself  before 
him} 

MAXIMILIAN — A  scoundrel's  plot!       Remove  this  woman 
Lopez — 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Learn  from  your  enemies   that  other 
truth 

Which  they  believe,  and  from  my  lips  receive 

This  humble  prayer,  preserve  my  husband's  life. 

MAXIMILIAN — Remove  this  woman! 

MADAM  MARISCALI —  Ah!  your  majesty 

One  thought  alone  I  press  against  your  heart — 

'Tis  that  my  husband  was  obedient 

To  orders  of  the  power  he  served  so  well. 

Yes,  what  the  wide  world  knows,  it  is  a  power 

Which  stays  the  empire  and  disputes  the  throne. 

And  by  the  laws  of  war,  the  General 

Deserves  the  treatment  of  a  captured  soldier, 

But  not  a  rebel's  death. 

MAXIMILIAN—  Remove  this  woman. 

LOPEZ — (Laying  bis  hands  upon  her} 

MADAM  MARISCALI — 'Twas  of  my  will  I    sought  this  au 
dience 

And  woman,  as  I  am,  incurred  the  peril 

That  waits  an  enemy,  the  blinding  horror 

Of  hard  denial. 

M  AXIMILIAN —  Shall  I  be  obeyed? 


MAXIMILIAN  69 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Ah!  how  this  clemency  would  thrill 

the  hearts 

Of  doubting  Mexico,  of  tardy  souls — 
Who  wait  some  inspiration  to  decide. 
If  it  should  be,  not  that  a  native  friend 
Already  cleaving  to  the  throne  was  favored, 
But  that  a  Mexican  and  enemy 
To  this  emprise  had  furnished  the  occasion 
To  show  your  majesty's  imperial  spirit. 
MAXIMILIAN — Once  more  do  I  command. 
MADAM  MARISCALI —  I  beg  of  you 

I  crawl  before  you,  kiss  your  feet — behold ! 
Have  mercy — 

(  Maximilian  points  to  Lopez  zvho  seizes  her ) 
Then  your  majesty  denies! 
Ha!  can  it  be? 

(She  screams. ) 

I  curse  you  Maximilian ! 
(  As  she  is  dragged  away. ) 
They  who  destroy  shall  also  beg  for  life. 
I  will  it.      By  my  power  it  shall  be  so. 
I  curse  you  Maximilian.      From  this  day 
The  sceptre  falters  in  your  hand.      I  curse  you! 
I  dip  this  hyssop  in  my  husband's  blood 
And  smite  the  republic's  lintels — Liberty 
The  treasured  nursling  of  our  Mexico 
Sleeps,  but  shall  die  not  by  the  passing  Fate. 
God  shall  behold  and  finish  my  revenge — 
I  curse  you  in  the  name  of  Liberty 
I  curse  you  by  a  woman's  hate.      I  curse  you 
By  woman's  love,  by  high,  by  low,  by   death, 
In  treason's  name — 

( She  pauses  convulsed  with  passion.     Bazaine  re-enters. ) 
BA/AINE—  Tut!  tut!      What's  this? 

CURTAIN 


ACT  THREE 

{A  state  room  in  the  palace — the  same  as  in  the  pre 
ceding  act. ) 

(Enter  Bazaine  and  Lopez) 
BAZAINE — What  did  I  tell  you? 

LOPEZ —  It  has  come  to  pass — 

BAZAINE^I'ITI  very  busy.      For  to  move  the  army — 
Is  no  light  matter.      And  to  pick  a  way 
To  Vera  Cruz  and  not  to  be  hawked  at 
By  hovering  rebels  taxes  genius. 

LOPEZ—  Yes- 

How  have  you  done  it? 

BAZAINE —  I've  surrendered  cities 

Along  the  way. 

LOPEZ — (  With  surprise)  You  leave  the  emperor  cornered  ! 
BAZAINE — Then  let  him  make  a  public  abdication, 
Heed  Castlenau  who  comes  to  urge  him  to  it; 
Say  that  the  Mexicans  are  democrats, 
Napoleon  and  himself  have  been  deceived; — 
Sophisticate  and  smear  the  obvious  fact 
That  Paris  bends  the  knee  to  Washington. 
Pm  sick  at  heart.      I  loathe  the  shameless  logic 
By  which  I  take  the  troops  from  Mexico — 
But  contra,  if  the  Mexicans  have  changed, 
Want  a  republic,  and  the  emperor  bows 
To  the  same  will  by  which  he  took  the  throne, 
And  abdicates,  directs  me  to  withdraw 
The  army — well  you  see  I  turn  the  laugh 

(71) 


72  MAXIMILIAN 

If  his  perversity  is  headed  so! — 

This  is  my  task!     Then  France  abides  the  day — 

When  she  can  spank  the  bastard  progeny 

Of  our  Rousseau — The  carriage  of  my  wife 

Drove  to  the  entrance  but  a  moment  since — 

Go  Lopez.      But  return,  for  I  shall  need  you. 

(  Exit  Lopez  a?id  enter  Madam  Bazaine,  gorgeously 

attired. ) 

Madam  Bazaine,  the  empire's  favorite — 
Sweet  lady  may  I  kiss  your  hand? 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  You  rogue — 

BAZAINE — Or  spread  my  mantle  o'er  the  muddy  way. 
MADAM  BAZAINE — I  know  you  not. 

BAZAINE —  Then  you  are  not  the  same — 

Whom  Maximilian  dowered  of  a  palace? 
MADAM  BAZAINE — Sir  agent  who  have  sold  my  palace   for 

me 

What  have  you  done,  sir,  with  the  purchase  price? 
BAZAINE — I  bought  a  draft  on  Paris — you  are  here 
To  say  farewell — make  haste,  for  Castlenau 
Arrived  this  morning  and  will  dine  with  us — 
I  go  to  meet  him  now.      Be  kind  sweet  thing 
And  join  us  readily.      I  kiss  your  hand. 
MADAM  BAZAINE — No !  (  She  offers  her  lips.  He  kisses  her) 
BAZAINE —  Adieu — (Exit  Bazaine) 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  Is  no  one  living  here? 

Almost  it  seems  this  is  a  rendezvous 
JOSEFA — (Aside  as  she  enters)  For  ingrates! 

(  To  her)  What  a  charming  day  Madam ! 
MADAM  BAZAINE — The  drive  about  the  city  too  is  lovely. 
There  is  much  bustle. 

JOSEFA —  Gathering  up  their  treasure 

To  take  away. 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  And  saying  sad  farewells; 

I  am  much  grieved  to  go.      But  then  your  highness 
Jt  compensates  to  think  I'll  live  in  Paris. 


MAXIMILIAN  73 

JOSEFA — 'Tis  pleasant,  too,  to  leave  one's  native  country. 
MADAM  BAZAINE — (Aside)    Her    spirit  rasps!   But  I'll  be 

soft  as  wool. 

Yes  even  Mexico  grows  old  at  last. 
I  wish  their  majesties  were  going  with  us. 
JOSEFA — To  fly  with  you? 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  I   would  not  phrase  it  so. 

JOSEFA — And  yet — 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  Yes  General  Castlenau  is  here 

Somewhat  the  worse  for  travel.      Quite  astonished 
To  see  the  country  in  such  sad  turmoil. 
In  France  they  think  the  empire  is  at  peace — 
You  see  how  much  deceived  Napoleon  is — 
His  train  was  almost  ditched  by  the  guerillas 
JOSEFA — He  came  by  Vera  Cruz? 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  A  dangerous  way — 

His  excellency  is  talking  with  him  now. 
But  even  we  from  whom  such  royal  secrets 
Are  kept  have  had  forerunners  of  his  mission. 
What's  whispered  in  Cathay  is  heard  in  London 
The  Paris  gossip  travels  with  the  morn, 
His  task  is  painful,  highness — 

JOSEFA —  Yes,  your  husband 

Was  kind  enough  to  bulletin  the  news 
MADAM  BAZAINE — To  bulletin? 

JOSEFA —  That  is  to  circulate  it. 

MADAM  BAZAINE — (Aside)  The  lady's  claws  are  sharp. 
JOSEFA —  It  was  a  secret, 

As  you  have  said,  of  state.      Their  majesties 
Like  not  the  freedom  of  its  publication. 
And  then  the  ill  effect. 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  I  grieve  indeed — 

Your  highness  to  resume  while  I  was  driving 
I  stopped  to  bid  her  majesty  adieu — 
How  is  her  majesty 
JOSEFA —  Improving  Madam. 


74  MAXIMILIAN 

MADAM  BAZAINE — I     never     thought     Chapultepec     was 

healthful 

So  near  the  marsh.    Our  palace  is  delightful. 
It  almost  broke  my  heart  to  sell  it,  yet 
We'll  not  return.      And  in  these  stirring  days 
What  rights  of  property  can  be  conserved? 
May  I  solicit  of  her  majesty 
A  brief  adieu — Perhaps  ah  could  it  be 
To  win  her  majesty  to  go  with  us — 
JOSEFA — 1  doubt  it  Madam. 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  I  beseech  your  highness — 

JOSEFA — Her  majesty  is  resting — 

MADAM   BAZAINE —  I'll  go  to  her — 

JOSEFA — (  Aside)  Let  the  rebuff"  be  from  a  higher  hand — 
(  She  rings — A  lackey  enters  ) 

(  To  the  lackey)    Madam  Bazaine  would   see  her    majesty 

(Exit  lackey) 

MADAM  BAZAINE — If  Mexico  could  ever  come  to  peace 
One  might  be  reconciled  to  live  here  always. 
JOSEFA — Madam  your  speech  seems  strangely  out  of  place, 
Her  sufferings  have  left  your  sky  serene. 
MADAM  BAZAINE — Have  I  not  seen? 
JOSEFA —  They  shot  my    father  Madam. 

MADAM  BAZAINE — Yes  tragic  fate. 

JOSEFA —  Too  true  and  orphaned  me — 

You  'mid  these  thorns  have  found  a  bed  of  roses, 
Whilst  in  a  sense  the  weight  of  shock  and  change 
Have  rested  on  my  shoulders. 

MADAM  BAZAINE —  Ah  your  highness! 

JOSEFA — Nor  is  it  strange  1  love  their  majesties 
Who  hold  the  second  empire — 

MADAM  BAZAINE — (Aside)  If  they  hold  it — 

JOSEFA — And  with  these  puny  hands  support  the  throne 

(Re-enter  the  lackey) 

LACKEY — Her  majesty  declines  the  kind  adieu 
Which  Madam  tenders  to  her  majesty —   (Exit) 


MAXIMILIAN  75 

MADAM  BAZAINE — (Aside)    Ah    I  must  smooth  the  decli 
nation  over. 

(Aloud)  I'm  grieved  to  know  her  majesty  is  ill — 

And  now  your  highness  say  my  sad  farewell, 

I  must  be  going.      To  their  majesties 

Express  the  gratitude  I  feel  for  all 

Their  majesties  have  done  for  me.   Alas! 

Your  highness  I  am  sad  at  parting.      Yes 

Thus  with  your  highness — (She  takes  her  hand) 

When  you  come  to  Paris 

May  I  be  honored  with  your  entertainment 

JOSEFA — Ah  thank  you  Madam — but  I'll  scarcely  come — 

My  life  in  Paris  did  dispel  the  glamour 

MADAM  BAZAINE — (Aside)  A  thrust!  She  knows  I've  never 
been  in  Paris. 

How  sad  when  youthful  feelings  die  away 

And  now  adieu. 

JOSEFA — Adieu —  (Exit  Madam  Bazaine) 

False,  cruel  heart. 

(Enter  Car lot ta) 

CARLOTTA — She's  gone —  At  last — 

JOSEFA —  Your  majesty — 

CARLOTTA —  Josefa 

But  let  a  woman  entertain  the  fiend 

She'll  think  of  subtle  torture.      Oh  that  woman 

Whose  ardent  zeal  helped  on  tj^e  intervention 

Now  wedded  to  the  vile  Bazaine  and  grown 

Affluent  by  the  favors  of  these  hands, 

How  cold  her  spirit! 

JOSEFA —  Like  the  rest. 

CARLOTTA —  Audacious — 

To  come  to  say  adieu — as  if  to  empty 

The  poison  in  my  bleeding  heart 

JOSEFA —  The   peacock! 

A  butterfly  would  pale  beside  her. 

CARLOTTA —  Think 


76  MAXIMILIAN 

Of  all  her  husband  did  and  does  to-day 

And  of  Napoleon's  breach  of  faith  with  us 

In  which  Bazaine  participates.      Josefa 

My  mind  must  break  beneath  this  growing  strain; 

For  to  o'er-top  the  summit  of  despair 

That  wretched  Castlenau  comes  here  to-day. 

But  we'll  not  see  him.      We  will  hold  the  crown — 

The  emperor  has  listened,  he  will  heed  me — 

'  Tis  I  that  rule ;  and  by  this  heart  of  fire 

Which  needs  alone  a  man's  embodiment 

Stones  shall  grow  plastic  and  be  shaped  to  use. 
JOSEFA — Good  Doctor  Basch  proscribes  affairs  of  state, 

He  comes  anon. 

CARLOTTA —  It  is  my  soul  that  sickens — 

It  is  my  mind  that  ever  thinks  and  thinks 

'Twill  run  until  it  wears  to  nothing — Ah! 

Josefa  favor  me 

JOSEFA —  Your  majesty 

CARLOTTA — O'er  look  the  preparation  of  my  food 

JOSEFA — I'm  over-come! 

CARLOTTA —  I  have  been  long  suspicious 

Why  should  his  majesty  and  I  be  ill 

Habitually. 

JOSEFA —  What  villain's  hand  would  do  this? 

CARLOTTA — But  poison  may  be  given  while  far  away 

The  guilty  hand  smooths  off  the  tear  of  sorrow — 

Even  from  Paris  might  my  life  be  snared — 

JOSEFA — 'Tis  almost  past  belief. 

CARLOTTA —  There  is  a  juice 

Distilled  from  tropic  roots  by  Mexicans 

Which  has  no  taste,  but  works  upon  the  brain 

And  blurs  the  memory  like  congealed  breath 

On  window  panes,  until  the  eyes  of  thought 

See  darkly.      Yet  it  is  a  shame  Josefa 

When  all  things  are  as  wormwood  to  the  empress 

She  cannot  even  drink  a  cup  of  water 


MAXIMILIAN  77 

Without  this  dull  paralysis  up  here — 

( She  clasps  her  brows.  ) 
JOSEFA — It  is  the  fever. 

CARLOTTA —  I've  remarked  for  weeks 

A  lapse  of  memory  on  the  gravest  subjects. 
His  majesty  likewise  is  thus  afflicted — 
You  say  no  one  would  do  it?     Would  Napoleon? 
You  have  known  bitterness  enough  to  learn 
Man's  cruelty  is  bounded  by  his  caution 

{A  lackey  announces  Dr.  Basch) 
JOSEFA — The  Doctor  comes — 

(Enter  Dr.   Basch} 

BASCH —  Your  majesty,  your  highness 

(Looks  at   Carlotta} 
Your  majesty  is  better,  that  is  clear. 
Sleep  and  the  healing  air  do  much  for  one. 
His  majesty? 

CARLOTTA —  So  weak  he  scarce  can  move. 

What  is  the  ailment? 

BASCH —  'Tis  a  sort  of  fever 

CARLOTTA — No  more? 

BASCH —  And  over-work,  excitement — 

CARLOTTA —  Yes? 

BASCH — Of  course  the  worry 

CARLOTTA —  Is  that  all  good  Doctor? 

BASCH — If  he  could  take  a  rest  at  Orizaba, 
Or  breathe  the  liberal  breezes  of  the  sea — 
He  would  recover — 

CARLOTTA —  That's  impossible 

This  government  would  topple  to  the  fall — 
But  might  I  ask  the  symptoms  if  some  one 
Should  mix  a  tasteless  poison  with  our  food — 
Would  that  account? 

BASCH —  Not   that  or  any  poison — 

You  need  not  think  of  that. 
CARLOTTA —  Why  do  you  say  so? 


78  MAXIMILIAN 

BASCH — There's  no  such  symptoms  in  the  diagnosis 

Put  this  from  mind,  for  if  you  harbor  it 

'Twill  grow  in  thought.      Endeavor  to  avoid 

Excitement  and  be  in  the  open  air 

Your  majesty  shall  drive? 

CARLOTTA —  The  troops  depart! 

BASCH — Quite  true.      Then  walk  along  the  balcony — 

Courage,  your  majesty.      For  time  o'er-masters 

Our  little  physic  and  restores  the  soul 

To  harmony.      His  majesty  must  have 

Some  stimulant  to  buoy  him  through  to-day — 

I  leave  him  these. 

(  Josef  a  opens  the  box  and  takes  one  of  the  capsules') 
Your  majesty  may  try  them. 
I'll  call  again  to-day.  (Aside  to  Josef  a) 

Attend  her  closely. 

(Exit) 

CARLOTTA — He  seems  the  soul  of  honor.    Yet  Josefa 
He  asked  if  I  shall  drive  to-day,  indeed 
When  all  the  French  are  rushing  for  the  port, 
And  hatred  brews. 

(A  distant  drum  is  heard) 

That  is  the  fatal  beat — 
The  tatoo  of  Napoleon !   If  dishonor — 
Meets  with  its  expiation  in  this  world — 
How  shall  Napoleon  suffer — Traitorous  wretch ! 
JOSEFA — Your  majesty  let's  walk  the  balcony — 
CARLOTTA — Not  I — How  works  that  medicine? 
JOSEFA—  It  livens. 

CARLOTTA — And  yet  because  his  majesty  and  I 
Alike  feel  this  debility,  the  cause 
Should  be  the  same.      But  can  I  trust  no  one? 
JOSEFA — (Falling  to  her  knees)  Myself 'till  death. 
CARLOTTA —  I   know  it,  kindest  heart. 

Ah  good  Josefa  there  my  child  and  princess — 
Your  father  also  was  an  emperor — 


MAXIMILIAN  79 

He  suffered  too.      And  you  may  be  an  empress — 

But  when  the  tempter  holds  the  robe  of  power 

And  with  a  gallant  smile  doth  lift  it  up 

To  place  it  on  your  shoulders,  turn  away — 

He  seeks  to  snare  your  soul. 

JOSEFA —  Is  it  ambition? 

CARLOTTA — Ah  yes  Josefa  it  is  but  ambition — 

The  doves  of  peace  are  still  at  Miramar. 

But  youth  is  gone — Oh  tragic  consequence! 

When  the  sweet  buds  that  hallowed  all  the  air 

Wither  and  fall  in  mire — Oh  noble  father 

Whose  memory  is  now  the  world's — Avert 

Thy  vision  from  me,  nor  behold  thy  child 

So  fallen,  so  pierced  with  sorrow — 

JOSEFA God  preserve  you! 

CARLOTTA — Not  knowing  what  the  day  may  bring  to  us — 

I  must  remember  you  with  something  I 

Have  worn 

JOSEFA —  Your  love — 

CARLOTTA —  That  now  is  ^vours. 

JOSEFA—  Ah  then 

Keep  me  in  memory  as  the  native  princess — 

Who  of  all  hearts  in  Mexico  was  truest 

And  loved  your  majesty. 

CARLOTTA —  No  I  will  give  you 

Something  to  cherish  in  the  days  to  come — 

When  these  poor  hands  perhaps  are  fallen  to  dust 

Which  looking  at  you'll  say  with  tears  of  love — 

Unhappy  Charlotte  empress  of  Mexico 

Gave  me  these  pearls. 

(  She  offers  Josef  a  a  strand  of  pear  Is ) 
JOSEFA —  Ah  no  your  majesty. 

CARLOTTA — You  are  the  first  in  Mexico  to  shut 
The  palm  against  a  gift.      His  majesty 
Has  played  the  Timon  to  the  very  gutters 
With  medals  to  the  French  and  palaces 


8o  MAXIMILIAN 

To  generals  and  diamonds  for  their  wives. 
Money  to  Indians,  Mexicans  and  Spaniards 
To  buy  the  love  of  sycophants  and  thieves. 
Only  Mejia  and  yourself  Josefa 
Less  honored  than  the  rest  are  faithfullest. 
Out  of  my  heart  I  give  these  pearls  to  you — 
To  recognize  your  love  and  speak  my  own. 
How  prettily  they  hang  about  your  neck 
JOSEFA — Forgive  me —  (Enter  Maximilian} 

CARLOTTA — (  To  him)      Josefa  will  not  take  the  pearls — 
MAXIMILIAN — 1  gave  your  majesty. 

CARLOTTA — (  With  sudden  realization)  Josefa  leave  us — 

(Exit  Josefa) 

(Aside)  Is  this  the  herald  of  a  mind  diseased? 
He  shall  not  know. 

(  To  him)   I  put  her  to  the  test. 
She  loves  us  for  ourselves. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I  trust  her  fully. 

CARLOTTA — Nor  did  not  with  a  greedy  hand  accept 
This  precious  gift.      Who  else  refused  our  bounty? 
Josefa  may  be  trusted,  I  have  tried  her — 

(  Maximilian  sits  at  the  table.  ) 
MAXIMILIAN — Bereft  of  any  council  to  advise  me — 
I  plan  and  act  alone.      The  city  stirs — 
The  French  depart.    And   Castlenau  will  seek 
An  interview  and  urge  my  abdication. 
CARLOTTA — Spurn  him  my  lord. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Is  that  your  judgment,  sweet — 

CARLOTTA — Spurn  him,  I  say. 

MAXIMILIAN —  On  that  I  differ  with  you. 

He  comes  as  special  envoy  of  Napoleon — 
And  by  that  token  merits  deference — 
Polite  reception,  serious  audience, 
Perhaps  compliance — 

CARLOTTA —  Fie!  it  is  not  you — 

Who  speak  so  basely. 


MAXIMILIAN  81 

MAXIMILIAN —  Reason  conquers  us — 

And  to  this  suppliance  of  the  emperor 

Who  can  reply?      'Tis  true  he  serves  himself — 

But  not  less  true  he  rescues  us  from  plight, 

And  gives  us  safe  conveyance  from  a  land 

Which  hates  us — which  I  hate — 

CARLOTTA —  An  added  reason — 

For  you  to  grind  this  people  to  submission. 

'  Twas  I  who  wooed  you  to  this  kingly  task, 

And  held  you  firmly  to  the  twin  ideals 

Of  power  and  glory.      Now  the  crisis  springs. 

Still  do  I  bear  aloft  the  spotless  banner — 

Of  empire.      We  will  keep  the  crown  ! 

MAXIMILIAN —  And  how? 

CARLOTTA — State  policies  are  like  the  kites  we  fly 

They  must  be  strung  to  earth.      When  severed  from  it 

They  dive  and  fall.    If  you  would  but  abandon — 

The  tender  heart  of  equity.      Be  stern 

Be  bold,  be  brave  and  yes  to  instance  it 

Punish  such  foes  as  Madam  Mariscali 

W  horn  you  released  from  prison. 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  Bazaine 

Requested  her  parole. 

CARLOTTA —  Ah  Maximilian — 

"Beware  Bazaine,  beware  the  treacherous  Lopez" 

Are  you  not  warned? 

MAXIMILIAN —  Who  can  be  wholly  wise 

Pulled  every  way  at  once?      I  bow  to  fate. 

For  if  the  Mexicans  desired  the  throne 

All  things  were  possible,  but  as  it  is 

I  abdicate! 

CARLOTTA — (Greatly  agitated)      You  abdicate!     Sweet 

heaven — 

Sustain  my  heart !  You  abdicate !  We  fly — 
What  peaceful  haven  welcomes  you  and  me? 
America?  there's  bitter  hell  for  us — 


82  MAXIMILIAN 

Or  Belgium,  let's  seek  the  quiet  graver 

Or  France?  avaunt  thou  basest  degradation! 

Or  Austria,  your  brother's  door  is  shut. 

What  exiles  we,  what  wanderers  on  the  earth. 

MAXIMILIAN — Since  you  persist,  who'll  fill  the   treasury? 

CARLOTTA — Is  it  for  money?   Sell  my  plate  and  jewels. 

Is  it  for  money?     Seize  the  revenues 

Napoleon  forfeits  by  his  breach  with  you. 

Is  it  for  money?     Then  debauch  the  church — 

Restore  their  lands. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Is  it  my  wife  that  speaks? 

CARLOTTA — 'Tis  Leopold,  my  father. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Very  well — 

Where  is  the  army,  yes,  even  the  troops 

To  hold  the  revenues  of  Vera  Cruz? 

CARLOTTA — We     have     the     Austrian     and  the  Belgians 

armies 

And  there's  the  French  who  took  the  oath  for  you — 
They'll  not  return  to  France.      Two  things  alone — 
Gold  and  the  sword — Then  crush  the  president — 
We  need  not  fear  America,  for  when 
The  Mexican  republic  is  no  more 
Its  recognition  falls.      Nor  will  it  stir 
To  block  an  empire  which  supports  itself 
Without  the  help  of  France  or  any  power — 
Can  I  not  move  you  prince?     Does  all  my  fire 
Expire  upon  the  flint?     Yes,  if  you  wish  it, 
I'll  go  to  Europe? 

MAXIMILIAN —  Speak  no  more  Carlotta — 

CARLOTTA — The  scion  of  a  royal  house  shall  bend 
At  France's  throne  and  on  degraded  knees 
Do  supplications  to  the  dancing  man 
With  waxed  mustachios,  the  feeble  spawn 
Of  Jacobites.     I'll  go  to  Austria 
And  sue  for  grace  low  bowing  to  your  brother 
Who  with  indecent  haste  out-witted  you 


MAXIMILIAN  83 

Of  all  your  royal  rights  at  Miramar. 

I'll  wend  my  weary  steps  to  Belgium 

And  hear  my  father  sighing  from  the  tomb 

With  helpless  grief  for  this  our  tragic  need. 

Pll  go  to  Rome  to  see  the  Holy  Father 

A  timorous  opportunist  sapped  by  time, 

Advancing  by  retreats  and  going  east 

By  sailing  west,  no  longer  bold  and  strong 

As  in  the  ancient  days.      All  this  I'll  do — 

Yes,  if  Napoleon  does  not  poison  me — 

Only  to  learn  the  problem  is  with  us — 

And  by  none  other  can  be  solved 

MAXIMILIAN —  Alas! 

Not  that,  dear  wife,  such  stress  is  not  for  you. 

CARLOTTA — Then  put  this  abdication  out  ot  mind. 

(Enter  a  lackey  conducting   Mira?non  and  Sa/m- 

8 aim. ) 

There's  Miramon  a  friend,  1  know  a  friend. 
Use  him,  my  lord! 

(  To  them}  I'm  glad  to  see  you  both — 
MIRAMON — The  French  have  all  collected  in  the  city 
CARLOTTA — Like  all  the  blood  collected  in  the  heart. 
MIRAMON — The  veins  are  shriveled.  Yes  that  it  should  be! 
Filled  now  with  blood  of  Dogs;  the  Liberals 
Invest  San  Luis,  now  their  capital. 
Queretaro  and  all  the  northern  cities 
Are  in  their  hands;  Puebla  to  the  south. 
They  make  occasion  of  the  French  departure 
And  Escobedo  at  Queretaro 
Protects  San  Luis. 

CARLOTTA —  That's  the  head;  Strike  it 

And  let  the  tail  whip  harmless  in  the  grass. 
SALM — My  hand  and  heart  to  that. 

MIRAMON —  The  message  comes — 

But  now !     And  by  the  God,  we  love,  I  swear — 
If  but  your  majesties  will  lend  a  hand 


84  MAXIMILIAN 

Mejia  and  myself  will  raise  an  army — 
Which  spite  of  fate  will  crush  the  president 
MAXIMILIAN — The  treasury  is  empty — 
CARLOTTA — •  Let  him  speak! 

MIRAMON — I  know  a  spring  that  gurgles  underground, 
Open  and  let  it  flow. 

CARLOTTA —  I  know  the  spring! 

MIRAMON — His  majesty  alone  can  open  it. 
MAXIMILIAN — When  I  was  rich  in  friends  and  revenues 
And  panoplied  in  power  I  did  refuse; 
Nor  shall  my  mind  be  suited  to  my  need — 
Still  I  refuse— 

CARLOTTA —  Go,  Miramon,  at  once 

See  Labastida,  find  what  he  can  do. 
Precision  sir,  we  want  the  very  figures. 
How  much  of  gold  to  buy  the  church's  lands, 
How  many  men  the  capitol  can   spare — 
MIRAMON — One  thing  remains — a  leader — 
CARLOTTA —  Why  yourself— 

Once  president  and  still  the  people's  idol. 
MIRAMON — When  I  was  president  I  led  the  army — 
His  majesty  must  do  it. 

CARLOTTA —  I  refuse. 

M  \XIMILIAN — (To  Car  lotto)  Your  syllogism  ends. 
MIRAMON —  Nay  more  than   that  | 

His  majesty  must  throw  himself  completely 
Upon  the  loyal  souls  of  Mexico — 
And  leave  the  Austrian  and  Belgian  troops 
To  guard  the  imperial  city. 

CARLOTTA —  Sir,  the  reason? 

MIRAMON — Distrust    thrives    'twixt    the    people  and  the 

throne, 

They  fear  the  future.      In  the  storm  collecting 
They  doubt  the  course  his  majesty  will  take. 
For  as  the  clericals  were  turned  away — 
As  even  French  and  Liberals  joined  the  council, 


MAXIMILIAN  85 

They  will  not  brook  dependence  in  the  future 

On  foreign  aid.      But  ah,  his  majesty 

Can  win  the  ardent  hearts  of  Mexico 

On  horse,  with  sword  in  hand;  And  they  will  follow, 

Knowing  his  majesty  has  cast  the  die, 

And  cannot  sit  upon  a  throne  of  peace 

Until  the  Mexican  republic  lies 

Collapsed  between  his  hands  like  a  balloon, 

So  long  to  chase  elusive 

CARLOTTA —  I  refuse! 

MAXIMILIAN — On  horse  with  sword  in  hand  like    Charles 

the  Fifth! 

It  is  the  soldier  and  the  orator 

Who  thrills  my  soul  with  reason's  sweetest  music — 
'Tis  I,  whose  corporal  presence  must  subdue 
A  traitorous  people,  visibly  to  do  it — 
And  by  the  boldness  of  my  face  to  blanch — 
The  Liberal  cheek.      Myself  to  win  the  throne, 
And  in  the  act  draw  over  admiration — 
To  my  imperial  worth. 

(  Car lot 't a  staggers} 

SALM —  Her  majesty ! 

( He  catches  her  and  helps  her  to  a  chair } 
MAXIMILIAN — What  is  it? 

(She  revives} 

CARLOTTA — (  Wearily}  Take  me  away — I'm  very  faint. 
SALM  —  (Aside}  Can  she  survive  the  ordeal  of  the  time? 
MIRAMON — (Aside}  Her  mind. 
SALM —  Don't  whisper  it 

MIRAMON —  My  heart  is  touched — 

MAXIMILIAN — Enlist  Mejia — speed  the  work  along, 
Queretaro  shall  see  us  in  a  week.  (Holds  up  a  paper} 

Thus  aptly  do  I  change  my  policies. 
Tell  Labastida  I  have  drawn  the  order 
And  wish  to  see  him.      Go! 

(Miramon  and  Salm-Salm  go  out} 


86  MAXIMILIAN 

Mortmain  restored! 

Now  sweet  Carlotta  smile,  for  at  the  last 
Your  counsel  triumphs. 

CARLOTTA —  If  it  brings  us  triumph 

And  comes  not  to  the  sick,  but  to  the  dead — 
Like  some  belated  doctor. 
MAXIMILIAN —  It  will  win. 

(Enter  a  lackey} 
LACKEY — His  excellency — 

(  Carlotta  motions  the  lackey  away} 

MAXIMILIAN —  That's  Castlenau — 

CARLOTTA —  'Tis  he 

In  flesh,  in  spirit  'tis  Napoleon 
Whom  we  abhor;  whom  we  refuse  to  hear. 
MAXIMILIAN — Oh  but  the  insult! 

CARLOTTA —  For  his  perfidy ! 

MAXIMILIAN — Let  me  receive  him  and  with  dignity 
Refuse  Napoleon. 

CARLOTTA —  No!  you  shall  not  do  it! 

We  will  not  see  the  envoy.  We  deny 
Napoleon's  right  to  urge  your  abdication, 
And  to  this  rude  gratuity  we  show 
Our  cool  contempt.  Come  Maximilian,  come ! 
MAXIMILIAN — This  is  against  my  better  judgment ! 
CARLOTTA —  Come! 

(  They  go  out} 
(Enter  Bazaine} 
BAZAINE — No    one    receives    me.      Since    I  stopped    the 

baggage 

I  have  not  been  a  favorite  at  Court — 
Yet  Labastida  has  consoled  me  much. 

(  Takes  a  paper  from  his  pocket ) 
Oh  magic  paper,  positive  to  gold ! 
And  since  I  leave  this  ends  my  compensation. 
For  if  hejabdicates,  the  project  falls — 
And  if  he  stays — but  then  he  must  not  stay 


MAXIMILIAN  87 

But  still  a  day,  a  week  makes  little  matter — 

I'll  keep  the  army  here  and  get  the  pay 

Which  Labastida  promised.      I  could  say 

Napoleon  holds  the  troops  in  Mexico 

Then  Labastida  pays.      But  if  I  fail 

To  cozen  him,  still  there  is  other  treasure: 

Six  thousand  muskets  and  four  million  caps 

A  million  francs  for  these?     Then  sold  to  Diaz! 

(He  goes  to  the  table  and  writes — Enter  Lopez) 
You  are  in  time  I  see — good,  trusty  soul. 
LOPEZ — His  majesty  may  want  some  service  done. 
BAZAINE — So  faithful  Lopez?     You   are  well  converted — 
But  ever  since  fair  Madam  Mariscali 
Broke  on  his  majesty,  your  zeal  has  quickened, 
And  by  the  gods  I  think  you'll  be  restored 
To  the  imperial  favor. 

LOPEZ —  You're  unkind 

BAZAINE — Her    husband    died,  I    hear — 'twas  somewhat 

sudden 

Though  not  unlocked  for. 

LOPEZ —  What  a  jest. 

BAZAINE —  I  like  you — 

Hence  my  familiar  language.      Come  my  friend 
You'll  marry  her? 

LOPEZ —  Why  sir! 

BAZAINE —  And  go  to  Paris? 

LOPEZ — I'll  ne'er  desert  the  emperor — 
BAZAINE —  But  he 

Deserts  you. 

LOPEZ —  Sir? 

BAZAINE —  He  goes  with  us  to-day — 

He  abdicates — 

LOPEZ —  Damnation ! 

BAZAINE —  Then  you'll  go? 

And  be  a  colonel  in  the  French  arrny? 
You'll  live  in  Paris,  travel  o'er  the  world. 


88  MAXIMILIAN 

LOPEZ — When  did  you  hear? 

BAZAINE—  I  know  it; — Yes  I  feel  it 

LOPEZ — You  feel  it,  well  I  question  much  the  feeling. 

BAZAINE — And  why — 

LOPEZ —  Because  the  clericals  have  won. 

BAZAINE — Who  told  you  Lopez? 

LOPEZ —  Miramon. 

BAZAINE—  Sweet  hell! 

LOPEZ — He  means  to  stay,  he  will  not  abdicate. 

He'll  fight. 

BAZAINE—  With  what? 

LOPEZ —  Legions — 

BAZAINE—  Of  proclamations — 

Decrees  of  every  hue,  black,  red  and  yellow! 

LOPEZ — With  Spaniards,  Belgians,  Austrians  and  French. 

BAZAINE — I'll  bet  a  million  francs  it  is  not  so, 

I'll  stake  my  life  he  will  not  have  a  Frenchman. 

LOPEZ — You  seem  so  sure! 

BAZAINE—  I  know  it.      For  the  French 

Who  took  the  oath  for  Maximilian,   sir 

Are  booked  to  sail.      They  have  deserted  him. 

I  purchased  them  in  bunches;  hold  them  so 

Like  onions  in  my  grasp. 

LOPEZ — (Aside}  Devil  and  wretch! 

BAZAINE — And  have  you  wit?     Then  fly  while    yet    you 

may! 

LOPEZ — Not  I.      One  traitorous  act  is  quite  enough! 
BAZAINE — They  say  the  ghost  of  Santa  Anna  walks ! 

(He  goes  to  the  table  and  writes) 
LOPEZ — (Aside)  If  one  but  shows  an  evil  aptitude 
The  world  will  make  him  use  it. 

BAZAINE —  Sir,  consider — 

The  needle  on  the  wheel  of  fortune  points 
Across  the  lucky  number! 

LOPEZ—  But  I'm  colonel, 

I'm  governor — 


MAXIMILIAN  89 

BAZAINE —  But  then  your  term  of  office 

Is  well  expired.      For  when  the  French  are  gone, 

And  with  them  draw  the  water  out  to  sea, 

Such  fish  as  you  will  gasp  upon  the  shore. 

Think  well  of  this,  my  friend.      Here  take  this  letter. 

LOPEZ — "Tis  not  addressed. 

BAZAINE —  I  know  it;  'tis  arranged 

You'll  find  a  messenger  at  my  headquarters 

LOPEZ — (Aside)  There's  mischief  in  this  letter 

BAZAINE —  Will  you  do  it? 

Make  haste  (  Lopez  hesitates  ) 

LOPEZ — (Aside)  So  for  thy  ill  advice,  thy  taunts 

Of  bitterness  I'll  seek  to  find  revenge. 

(  To  Bazaine)  Your  excellency. 

BAZAINE —  And  while  you  do  this  errand — 

Consider  well  your  future;  hurry  back 

And  tell  me  you  will  go  to  France  with  me.  (Exit  Lopez) 

I  want  this  Lopez;  were  it  possible 

I'd  leave  the  Liberal  army  and  Juarez 

The  sole  inhabitants  of  Mexico 

Save  Maximilian;  let  him  fight  alone. 

The  troops  of  France  shall  not  be  used  to  wreak 

Her  degradation.        (Enter  lackey  conducting   Castlenau) 

Indeed  I'm  glad  to  see  you 
But,  as  I  said,  be  kind  but  quick  with  him. 
You've  had  a  weary  trip. 

CASTLENAU —  My  dear  Bazaine 

This  place  is  fit  for  devils. 

BAZAINE —  Well  we  have  them. 

CASTLENAU — I  crave  to  see  his  majesty  at  once. 
'Tis  but  a  formal  matter  to  submit 
My  master's  message.      Nay,  I  understand 
Their  majesties  in  fact  have  abdicated. 
BAZAINE — (Aside)  If  he  knew  what  I  knew.    But  let  him 

try. 
CASTLENAU — They  only  need  to  seal  it  by  announcemen 


90  MAXIMILIAN 

To  add  the  final  touch. 

BAZAINE —  I'll  ring 

CASTLENAU —  The  lackey 

Who  showed  me  in  announces  me.      So  now 

By  fit  appointments  I  perform  my  mission 

And  sail  with  you. 

BAZAINE —  This  was  a  sad  mistake. 

CASTLENAU — And  now  our  master  knows  it  well  enough. 

What  made  it  fail? 

BAZAINE —  America. 

CASTLENAU —  'Tis  true. 

BAZAINE — America  whose  forehead  is  of  brass, 

And  feet  of  clay. 

CASTLENAU —  Which  licks  the  English  hands 

That  smote  it. 

BAZAINE —  Renegade  to  freedom — 

CASTLENAU — The  frozen  spirit  of  the  Puritan — 

BAZAINE — Looking  to  God  as  king  and  by  the  thought 

So  drifting  to  the  monarchy  it  scorns — 

CASTLENAU — Despoiler  of  these  Mexicans  when  Texas 

Served  as  the  stepping  stone  to  California — 

BAZAINE — But  then  the  empire's  weak.      His  majesty 

Lacks  action,  penetration  and  he  blunders — 

(Enter  lackey} 

LACKEY — His  majesty  refuses  audience —          (Exit) 
CASTLENAU — Shall  I  believe  my  ears?      Can  it  be  true? 
Is  it  possible  my  master  is  rebuffed — 
BAZAINE — Yes,  Castlenau ! 

CASTLENAU —  Slapped  in  the  face,  why  sir! 

BAZAINE — You  asked  what  made  the  empire  fail! 
CASTLENAU —  I  go! 

BAZAINE — Your  eyes  have  seen. 

CASTLENAU —  But  why  this  studied  insult — 

For  even  if  he  hates  my  master  why? — 
BAZAINE — Should  he  not  show  it?      He's  not  French,  you 
know, 


MAXIMILIAN  91 

But  of  the  serious  stock  which  prides  itself 

On  candor — You  have  had  a  taste  of  candor — 

CASTLENAU — And  yet  I  fail  to  seize  its  import. 

BAZAINE —  Well — 

I'll  see  the  emperor,  I'll  give  the  message 

In  language  full  of  meaning. 

CASTLENAU —  No,  I  beg  you — 

BAZAINE — What  matters  it? 

CASTLENAU —  You  have  not  been  commissioned — 

BAZAINE — Since  he  does  so,  I  waive  diplomacy. 

I'll  bend  his  will  or  break  it,  he  shall  heed. 

CASTLENAU — You  do  not  mean? 

BAZAINE — -  He's  fallen  in  the  hands 

Of  priests,  adventurers  and  black  magicians; 

He's  listened  to  his  wife's  demented  cooing. 

Yes,  Castlenau  it  means  he  scorns  your  master, 

It  means  he  holds  the  throne. 

CASTLENAU —  Get  me  some  brandy! 

BAZAINE — It  means  America  has  fed  us  dirt. 

CASTLENAU — I  taste  it  now 

BAZAINE —  But  it  means  hell  to  him! 

I've  mined  beneath  him,  lit  the  fuse  myself — 

I  stay  to  tell  him.      He  will  abdicate 

And  save  us.      Yes  extinguish   the  affront 

Unborn  but  twinkling  in  the  hateful  eye — 

He'll  abdicate;  or  I  will  ruin  him. 

CASTLENAU — Bazaine  I  go. 

BAZAINE —  Then  leave  the  task  to  me 

He  is  perverse.      And  even  from  the  first 

Was  clamorous  to  hold  the  reins — but  still 

The  foot-man  gave  directions  where  to  drive — • 

I'll  play  the  foot-man.      I'll  be  deferential 

I'll  hint,  cajole,  I'll  play  upon  his  fears — 

Warm  up  his  egotism — tent  his  pride 

And  touch  the  nerve  of  gratitude 

CASTLENAU —  I  go — 


92  MAXIMILIAN 

Do  what  you  will — 

BAZAINE — (Rings  the  bell,  a  lackey  enters) 

I  await  his  majesty  (Exit  lackey) 
I'll  not  be  long  about  it,  will  you  dine 
With  us? 

CASTLENAU — With  pleasure ! 

BAZAINE —  You  must  meet  my  wife — 

Think  we  shall  sail  together! 

CASTLENAU —  That  is  charming — 

BAZAINE — And  to  be  back  in  Paris  once  again 
To  greet  my  friends  and  see  his  majesty, 
And  go  to  war  if  Germany  persists — 
At  six  my  carriage  calls  at  your  hotel — 
And  lest  you  see  the  Emperor  Maximilian 
I  speed  your  going — for  I  hear  his  step — 
Adieu  'till  then. 

CASTLENAU —  Adieu —  ( Exit ) 

BAZAINE — (Looking  after    Castlenau) 

He's  boiling  over — 
And  now  the  crisis. 

(Enter  Maximilian) 

Ah  your  majesty 
MAXIMILIAN — Bazaine. 
BAZAINE — {Aside}  So  cold! 

MAXIMILIAN —  You  came  to  say  adieu — 

Adieu,  Bazaine. 
BAZAINE —  In  truth,  I  would  not  say  it — 

(A  silence) 

MAXIMILIAN — The  army  is  departing. 
BAZAINE — (Aside)  That  cracks  the  nut — 

(Aloud)  And  hopes  to  see  your  majesty  arrive 
Safely  at  Miramar. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Sir,  I  forbid  you! 

BAZAINE — I  humbly  pray  your  majesty's  indulgence — 
MAXIMILIAN — What  is  the  business,   sir,    that  brings    you 
here? 


MAXIMILIAN  93 

BAZAINE — My  master  thinks  the  recent  turn  of  things — 

MAXIMILIAN — When  did  his  majesty  commission  you? 

BAZAINE — Why,  every  man  ot  France  has  a  commission 

To  shield  the  honor  of  France. 

MAXIMILIAN —  You  merely  trifle — 

We  have  refused  to  see  the  special  envoy 

Sent  by  your  master. 

BAZAINE —  Your  majesty  believe  me — 

My  errand  seeks  your  majesty's  well  being 

MAXIMILIAN — I  ask  no  fulsome  reassurances — 

BAZAINE — I  tender  none.      But  this  I  do  affirm — 

All  men  perceive  that  unforseen  events 

Have  made  the  intervention  a  mistake — - 

Yes,  even  a  hopeless  failure — And  to-day — 

Fate  flying  over  trails  the  final  thread 

Which  we  may  catch  at  and  be  carried  out 

From  this  deep  slough.      So  as  a  man  and  soldier, 

Devoid  of  power  in  this,  with  naught  but  reason 

Tempered  with  love,  should  I  not  come  and  urge 

Your  majesty  to  abdicate  the  throne? 

MAXIMILIAN — Napoleon  may  abandon  his  mistake 

I  stand  by  mine. 

BAZAINE —  Your  majesty  admits 

The  scheme  was  a  mistake.      Then  very  good — 

Next  is  the  question  how  to  wipe  it  out. 

MAXIMILIAN — I  have  a  duty. 

BAZAINE —  Owed  to  whom? 

MAXIMILIAN —  To  God — 

And  Mexico 

BAZAINE —  As  for  the  Deity 

I'm  loath  to  speak.      Of  Mexico  I  may. 

From  every  quarter  comes  the  chilling  news 

This  people  hates  the  empire. 

MAXIMILIAN —  And  no  wonder! 

BAZAINE — {Aside}  What  does  he  mean? 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  when  the  cause  of  hatred 


94  MAXIMILIAN 

Has  been  removed,  I'll  make  them  love  the  empire — 
BAZAINE — What  is  the  cause? 

MAXIMILIAN —  The  French;  The  Janizaries 

BAZAINE — (Aside]  God  in  heaven! 

(Aloud}  Yes,  perhaps  'tis  true. 
Still  with  your  majesty  I  beg  to  differ — - 
But  for  this  army  there  is  something  due 
To  France;  it  laid  the  corner  stone.      And  then 
There  are  two  governments  in   Mexico 
America  feeds  one  and  starves  the  other 
And  forces  thus  the  issue  which  of  these 
The  republic  or  the  empire  shall  survive — - 
With  this  regard  the  services  of  France 
Deserve  consideration  when  to  that 
Is  added  the  embarrassment  of  France — 
Forced  by  another  power  to  take  its  army 
From   Mexico. 

MAXIMILIAN —  France  has  been  paid 

BAZAINE —  I   know  it 

But  who  will  recompense  her  for  the  shame? 
Or  wash  the  gathered  grime  from  oft'  her  laurels 
Trailed  by  this  resolution  through  the  dust. 
Yes  I  express  my  heart's  deep  gratitude 
For  all  your  majesty's  kind  benefits 
Bestowed  on  me — with  counsel  I  requite  it 
Spurn  these  perfidious  clericals  for  when 
They  have  obtained  the  object  of  their  ardor 
How  limp  and  flaccid  they.      'Tis  on  a  sea 
Untraveled  filled  with  shoals  and  cruel  rocks 
Your  majesty  embarks,  whilst  all  is  fit 
For  abdication  and  a  safe  departure 
Perhaps  a  future  on  the  Austrian  throne. 
MAXIMILIAN —  Adieu  Bazaine 

BAZAINE —  Your  majesty  will  pardon — 

My  importunities — 
MAXIMILIAN —  Since  you  persist — 


MAXIMILIAN  95 

Might  I  remind  you  that  I  have  been  privy 

Of  the  wide  freedom  of  your  speech  and  conduct 

The  throne  was  warned — 

BAZAINE —  By  whom? 

MAXIMILIAN —  "Beware  Bazaine" 

BAZAINE — " Beware  the  treacherous   Lopez" 

MAXIMILIAN —  Yes  you  know — 

BAZAINE — Have  seen!      It  was  annonymous — 

MAXIMILIAN —  Had  I 

Been  cognizant  'twas  you  who  broke  my  mail 

French  general  as  you  are  you  should  have  felt 

The  empire's  hand.      'Twas  you  who  spread  contempt 

O'er  my  best  efforts 

With  your  going  hence 
There's  hope  again. 

BAZAINE —  Yes  as  the  throne  depends 

Upon  such  title  as  the  sword  can  quiet — 
I  am  legitimate  as  heir  presumptive. 
MAXIMILIAN — Or  as  your  master  planned  a  coup  d'etat. 
BAZAINE — (Aside)      That    brought    the    blood — But  I'll 

reserve  the  finish. 

(Aloud)  Your  majesty  refuses  I  believe 
Perhaps  'tis  well.      I'll  not  prolong  my  suit 
In  France  they  say  since  Mexico  is  quiet 
Since  everywhere  your  majesty  is  hailed 
By  loyal  acclamations,  by  bouquets 

From  Senoritas;  since  the  very  Indians 

Think  Montezuma  has  come  back  to  earth 

They  say  the  army  is  a   useless  clog 

Which  chokes  the  genial  intercourse  between 

The  throne  and  all  your  people.      So  to  work 

Complete  eradication  of  the  pest 

And  leave  no  Frenchman  in  the  empire's  realm 

To  breed  defection  I  have  summoned  back 

Even  the  French  who  took  the  imperial   oath 

They  sail  with  me 


96  MAXIMILIAN 

MAXIMILIAN — {Aside,  agitated}  I'll  kill  him  if  he  stays — 

(Aloud)  Their  perjury  be  on  your  guilty  soul — 

Leave  me  at  once  lest  a  too  righteous  wrath — 

BAZAINE — I  hope  your  majesty  will  keep  your  head — 

The  physical — one's  hopes  should  be  in  reason. 

MAXIMILIAN — I'll  call  the  lackey 

BAZAINE —  And  I'll  butcher  them 

Your  majesty  shall  hear.      You!  Emperor! 

This  project  is  an  epigram  of  state-craft 

A  pun,  a  joke,  a  vulgar  play  on  \vords 

A  piece  of  paste  work  of  the  jeweler's-  art 

A  palace  built  of  staff  of  gilt  and  mirrors 

That  rain  discolors,  leaking  in  the  roof — 

A  fragile  tent  enriched  with  costly  hangings 

A  germ  of  life  mixed  by  the  chemist's  skill 

A  death's  head  of  great  Kings.      A  corpse  revived 

By  shocks  from  the  great  batteries  of  France 

A  dream  of  empire  bound  up  in  a  mood 

Of  languid  thought  of  unprojected  vision 

Great  Charles  the  Fifth  in  wax  with  glassy  eyes — 

(Labastida  appears  at  the  rear] 
MAXIMILIAN — Will  you  not  leave  me? 
BAZAINE —  So  Napoleon's  toy 

Takes  life  and  runs  away !  (  Maximilian  rings ) 

The  Frankenstien 
Brings  ruin  on  its  own  creator 

(  The  lackeys  appear.    Bazaine  turns  around  and 

sees  Labastida) 

MAXIMILIAN —  Seize — 

BAZAINE — {Pointing  to  Labastida)  The  spy — 

(The  lackeys  approach  Labastida) 
MAXIMILIAN — (Pointi?tg  to  Bazaine)  No! 
LABASTIDA — -  Your  majesty  leave  him  to  rne 

(Motions  the  lackeys  away) 
BAZAINE — Yes  where' s  my  money? 
LABASTIDA —  Is  it  not  enough — 


MAXIMILIAN  97 

That  thou  revilest  thy  own  master's  work, 

Bringing  to  naught  the  very  will  of  France: 

But  thou  must  seek  to  lay  thy  smutty  hands 

On  the  fair  vestments  of  the  Holy  Church, 

And  publish  forth  the  vile  deceit  that   I, 

Archbishop,  have  corrupted  thee  with  gold, 

That  thou  shouldst  win  his  majesty?      Avaunt, 

Incarnate  elements  of  greed  and  hate, 

I  cast  the  curses  of  the  church  upon  thee. 

BAZAINE — Precious  hypocrite!  (He  laughs  quietly} 

LABASTIDA —  I  charge  thee  in  this  presence 

With  selling  to  the  Liberals  ammunition 

Bought  with  the  dear  won  treasure  of  the  empire. 

BAZAINE — I  challenge  you  to  prove  it. 

LABASTIDA —  And  I  charge 

That  thou  hast  in  thy  pocket  of  the  fruit. 

BAZAINE — No !  by  the  gods,  the  money   which  you  gave 

me. 

LABASTIDA — So  thou  hast  boasted.      Well   I  do  deny  it. 
BAZAINE — {Aside}  What  stays  the  bolt  of  heaven? 

(  He  starts  to  go ) 

LABASTIDA —  Stay  Bazaine! 

BAZAINE — What,  should  1  stay  to  see  you  act  a  part? 

(He  moves  on} 

LABASTIDA — Thou  art  afraid! 
BAZAINE —  Of  nothing — saving  boredom. 

(  Coming  back) 

LABASTIDA — Your  majesty  'tis  true  that  Col.  Lopez 
Betrayed  old  Santa  Anna  long  ago. 
MAXIMILIAN — Your  reverence! 

LABASTIDA —  Yet  he's  a  loyal  servant 

In  every  mission  of  the  throne.      To-day 
His  excellency  commissioned  him  with  this. 

(He  hands  Maximilian  a  letter} 
And,  feeling  doubtful,  he  did  open  it. 
Seeing  its  contents,  like  a  faithful  child 


98  MAXIMILIAN 

Made  me  confessor,  so  I  bring  it  here. 

MAXIMILIAN  —  My  guns  and  caps  sold  to  the  Liberals ! 

(He  drops  the  paper} 

BAZAINE — Your  majesty  has  dropped  my  letter.      Well 
Your  majesty,  I  beg  no  explanations. 
'Tis  nothing,  'tis  a  trifle,  I  protest. 
Oh!  Oh!  I'm  overcome;  say  nothing  of  it. 
'Tis  somewhat  soiled;  of  course  the  seal  is  broken. 
'Tis  crumpled  by  a  multitude  of  hands. 
But  yet  how  easy  'tis  to  write  it  over. 
And  Diaz  will  not  know  the  mail  was  robbed ! 
MAXIMILIAN — To  think  I  trusted  you. 
LABASTIDA —  So  did  Napoleon. 

But  will  no  more. 

BAZAINE — {With  self-possession}       Adieu,  your  majesty. 
Adieu  your  reverence — I  compliment  you. 
I  did  not  think  you'd  bite,  at  least  while  music 
Was  being  played.      Oh  modern  Mazarin! 
Oh  Richelieu  and  Granvelle  mixed  in  one! 
Thou  art  the  church  and  state;  the  cabinet, 
But  newly  chosen,  never  to  resign. 
And  holding  in  your  single  person  all 
Relating  to  finance  or  foreign  states, 
The  army  and  the  navy,  mark  the  word. 
And  as  I  see  the  cabinet  has  arrived 
To  go  in  session,  I  must  take  my  leave. 
LABASTIDA — Not  all  your  evil  power  can  wreck   the    em 
pire. 

The  treasury  has  twenty  million  dollars 
Brought  by  the  church.      And  Miramon  reports 
Nine  thousand  men  all  fit  for  war. 

(Enter    a  lackey  conducting  Mejia,  Miramon  and 

Salm  Salm) 

BAZAINE — (Ironically}  I'm  glad. 

You'll  need  them.      But  this  flock  of  willing  sheep 
Will  scamper  to  the  shambles.      'Tis  a  leader 


MAXIMILIAN  99 

Who's  neither  fool  nor  Judas,  you  require. 
LABASTIDA — His  majesty. 

ALL —  His  majesty. 

BAZAINE — {Laughing  )  Alas ! 

I've  made  the  category  and  decline 
To  place  this  nomination;  to  you  all 
A  kind  adieu. 

ALL —  Adieu,  your  excellency. 

(Drums  and  bugles  without  in  the  distance} 
BAZAINE — (Aside  to  Labastida} 
Were  you  in  earnest?      Faith,  you  acted  well! 
LABASTIDA — Adieu,  your  excellency. 
BAZAINE —  Oh  lovely  land! 

Where  each  man  eats  his  brother! — without  salt. 
Oh  Mexico,  sweet  garden ! — full  of  weeds, 
Volcanoes,  revolutions,  haven  of  hell. 
Home  of  the  one,  the  only  true  religion ! — 
Of  bread  and  butter.      Rich,  prolific  soil! 
That  nourishes  two  governments — alas! 
Adieu —  (Exit) 

SALM —  But  why  this  bitter  mood  I   pray: 

MIRAMON — Oh!  hateful  wretch!     So  we  have  exorcised 
The  seven  devils  out  of  Mexico.    (A  silence} 
MAXIMILIAN — (Looking  at  them  sadly} 
Have  I  so  many  friends? 

MIRAMON —  For  better  or  worse. 

LABASTIDA — For  holy  church. 

SALM —  For  empire. 

MEJIA —  Independence. 

MAXIMILIAN — I  give  the  church  its  lands. 
MIRAMON —  Then  stands  the  empire! 

MAXIMILIAN — Collect  the  army,  bring  the  cannon  out. 
With  sword  in  hand  I'll  lead  the  forces  forth. 
And  with  the  sword  I'll  cut  this  tangled  fate. 

(A  noise  of  marching  men  is  heard  to  the  music  of 
Jifes  and  drums. ) 


TOO  MAXIMILIAN 

The  French  depart.      The  empire  shall  remain. 

About  the  work! 

(Exeunt  Labastiday  Miramon,  Mejia  and  Salm- 
Salrn.  Maximilian  goes  hack  to  the  window 
and  pulls  the  curtain  slightly  aside.  It 
grows  dark.  Enter  Carlotta.  Silence. ) 

CARLOTTA — (Aside)  My  heart  is  drained  of  tears! 

( Aloud)  Ah,  Ferdinand  what  curious  sense  has  led  you 

To  watch  the  French  depart?      'Twould  blind  my  eyes. 
(He  comes  forzvard  and  takes  her  in  his  arms] 

MAXIMILIAN — Darling,  God  keep  you. 

CARLOTTA —  Go,  lest  sorrow  weaken 

The  will  you  need. 

MAXIMILIAN —  God  keep  you. 

(He  kisses  her) 

CARLOTTA —  Ferdinand!    (He  goes  out) 

Alone!  (She  moves  her  hands  feebly  across  her  brow  and 
sits.  It  grows  dark.  Then  she  rings.  A 
lackey  enters. ) 

(  To  him)  The  candles!      (They  are  lighted) 

What  a  fate  is  mine ! 

(Enter  'Josef a  and  kneels  at  Car  lotto*  s  feet* 
The  lackey  goes  out.  ) 

CARLOTTA — Good,  kind  Josefa. 

JOSEFA —  God  preserve  your  majesty. 

CARLOTTA — I  am  alone!  and  weary!  and  afraid. 

The  crickets  chirp  so  plaintive  in  the  castle. 

The  darkness  swarms  with  glowing  eyes.      So  keep 

Lights  in  my  chamber,  for  the  freezing  horror 

Which  seizes  me  to  see  them,  can't  be  borne. 

josefa  have  you  done  that  which  I  bade? 

JOSEFA — Your  majesty  I  did,  but  is  it  well? — 

CARLOTTA — Whether  'tis  well  or  ill,  I  must  o'er-leap 

The  present  and  amid  these  shattering  blows 

Know  what's  to  come.      Where  is  the  witch? 

JOSEFA —  She's   here. 


MAXIMILIAN  101 


CARLOTTA — Whether    she    trades     with    devils    or 

angels, 

She  knows  the  future,  as  such  spirits  know 
Evil  or  good.      And  since  good  spirits  fly  me — 
1*11  learn  by  the  worst  odds.      Go  then,  but  stay, 
I  would  not  have  you  leave  me. 

(  Carlotta  rings.    A  lackey  enters. 

To  him) 

Bring  the  woman! 
(Exit  lackey^) 

We  are  like  motes  within  a  shaft  of  sun-light, 
Coming  from  darkness,  into  darkness  going. 
And  stand  like  fools,  who  peer  within  a  mirror, 
Thinking  the  sad  reflect  is  that  which  lies 
Beyond  this  glass  of  hope  and  fervent  dream. 
So  hurrying  to  enfold  the  mocking  shadow 
The  glass  is  shattered  and  the  image  flown ! 
JOSEFA — Ah  no,  your  majesty.      Our  souls  shall  live 
In  some  etherial  realm  of  higher  being. 
CARLOTTA — Then  if  it  be,  'tis  thence  my  heart  aspires. 
That  is  the  only  home  that  welcomes  me. 

(Enter  the  witch  conducted  by  the  lackey) 
JOSEFA — ( Aside)      But  here's  this  woman. 
CARLOTTA — (Aside)  I  should  fear  her,  doubtless. 

JOSEFA — (Aside)      I  do;  pray  send  her  hence. 
CARLOTTA — (Aside)  I'll  talk  to  her. 

(Aloud)  You  are  the  woman  who  draws  back  the  curtain 
Which  screens  the  future. 
THE  WOMAN — Both  the  past  and  future. 
CARLOTTA — (To  Josefa) 
How  old  she  looks,  bent  down  with  mystery ! 

(  Aloud) 

Yes,  even  they  say  of  you,  you  can  conjure — 

(She  hesitates) 
The  dead. 
THE  WOMAN — Ask  what  you  will 


io2  MAXIMILIAN 

CARLOTTA — (  To  Josef  if) 

What  think  you  of  her? 

JOSEFA — She  fills  my  soul  with  tear. 

CARLOTTA —  But  then  you  say 

She's  earned  a  generous  fame  in  Mexico 

As  medium,  clairvoyant,  sorceress. 

JOSEFA — "Tis  on  that  fame  I  acted;   Yet  behold 

Her  hideous  face!      I  fear  your  majesty 

These  wildest  spells  of  hers  might  so  o'er-master 

Your  majesty's  best  reason  as  to  give 

The  form  of  truth  to  phantoms  of  the  brain. 

And  Dr.  Basch  has  warned  your  majesty 

Against  excitement.      Send  the  creature  hence. 

Besides  in  truth  what  can  this  woman  know 

Of  heaven's  plans  reserved  for  God  alone? 

CARLOTTA — I'll   know  the  worst.      And  if  this  thing  can 

tell— 
I  do  not  shrink. 

(  To  the  woman ) 

Proceed. 

THE  WOMAN — Your  majesty 
And  I  must  be  alone. 
JOSEFA — Your  majesty,  not  that! 
THE   WOMAN — 'Tis  so  always.       For    else    the    powers 

which  keep 

The  secrets  of  this  soul,  to  speak  refuse. 
CARLOTTA — Josefa,  stand  without. 
(She  hesitates] 

Go,  vex  me  not! 

THE  WOMAN — Nor  hold  not  an  espial  of  this  spell, 
For  I  shall  know  and  cease. 

(Josefa  goes  ouf] 

Your  majesty 
Would  cast  the  future? 

CARLOTTA —  Yes,  if  you  have  lived 

In  Mexico,  already  do  you  know, 


MAXIMILIAN  103 

Despite  such  occult  arts  as  you  profess, 
About  the  past  and  me.      If  you  can  help  me, 
In  any  wise,  to  meet  the  time  to  come 
That  would  I  have. 

THE  WOMAN —  The  power  is  mine. 

CARLOTTA —  Proceed. 

THE   WOMAN — Then  with  these  cards  I'll  strip  away  the 
veil. 

(She  takes  a  deck  of  cards  from  her  shawl  and 

amidst  chatter  and  low  laughter  lays 

them  out  on  the  table. ) 
For  'tis  a  lively  spirit  which  controls 
These  seemingly  unvalued  bits  of  paper. 

{She  laughs) 

How  strange,  at  once  they  speak  upon  the  subject 
Nearest  the  heart — the  emperor! 

CARLOTTA —  Good  woman! 

THE  WOMAN — The    force  that  ruled    him   ever  was  of 

man. 

It  was  the  spell  of  a  malignant  soul 
Which  held  his  mood.      He  strove  to  imitate, 
To  work  a  problem  from  a  borrowed  mood. 
So  are  men  ruled  and  so  do  they  perform 
A  part  not  given  them  of  heaven. 

CARLOTTA—  Well, 

This  tells  me  nothing. 

THE  WOMAN — (  With  wide  and  horrible  eyes) 
Answer  this,  I  pray  you, 
What  brought  him  here? 

CARLOTTA —  Why  look  you  so  at  me? 

THE  WOMAN — Why,  here  to  Mexico  the  spirit  asks. 
And  with  a  solemn  echo  makes  reply 
From  hence  he  never  goes ! 

CARLOTTA — (Alarmed)  What  do  you  see? 

THE  WOMAN — Napoleon,  Caesar,  Frederick,  Leopold. 
CARLOTTA — {Trembling}  Bring  not  my  father  here! 


io4  MAXIMILIAN 

THE   WOMAN —  Your  father,  no' 

The  one  of  ancient  days.      For  in  these  cards 

The  faces  of  dead  kings  arise  and  pass, 

Imploring  peace. 

CARLOTTA —  I  pray  you  go  away! 

THE  WOMAN — Will  you  not  hear  of  him? 

CARLOTTA —  Pray  leave  me  now! 

THE  WOMAN — Nor  see  him? 

CARLOTTA — (  Clasping  her  brows') 

My  head !  my  head ! 

THE  WOMAN —  For  never  more 

Fond  soul,  I  pity  you,  shall  you  behold 
Your  husband  in  the  flesh. 

CARLOTTA —  No!  No!  Stop!  Stop! 

THE  WOMAN — (Pointing  to  the  cards')  'Tis  here! 
CARLOTTA — I'll  not  believe  it. 

THE  WOMAN —  Then  I'll  bring  him  here. 

CARLOTTA — Depart ! 

THE  WOMAN — I'll  draw  upon  the  canvas  of  the  air 
His  face! 

CARLOTTA —          No!   No! 

THE  WOMAN —  I'll  show  you  what's  to  be! 

CARLOTTA — Will  you  not  leave  me? 
THE  WOMAN —  See  the  tragic  eyes — 

Which  sorrow,  desolation  and  despair 
Haunt  to  the  final  hour. 

CARLOTTA —  Have  mercy  on  me! 

THE  WOMAN — This  is  the  meed  of  empire. 
CARLOTTA —  I  will  call 

The  Castle's  guards! 

THE  WOMAN —  Poor  queen  you  cannot  move 

Save  as  I  will. 

CARLOTTA — (Gasping)  Leave  me! 
THE  WOMAN —  Will  you  not  see 

His  forehead  splashed  with  blood? 
CARLOTTA —  My  head!  my  head 


MAXIMILIAN  105 

THE  WOMAN  —  Here  is  yourself,  beneath  whose  crown  is 

hatched 

The  rusty  wings  of  madness  ! 
CARLOTTA  —  You  are  she 

Whose  guilty  art  has  done  it  ! 
THE  WOMAN  —  Holy  queen! 

Whose  royal  blood  for  centuries  has  fed 
The  dread  anatomies 

CARLOTTA  —  (Feebly}  My  head!  my  hea.d! 

THE  WOMAN  —  Arise! 

(  Carhtta  stands  up.  ) 

Becalmed  with  madness! 
CARLOTTA  —  (Waving  her  hands)      What  is  this? 

(  There    appears    to    Carlotta  the  counterpart  of 
herself  y  a  half  -illumined  figure  or  aura.  ) 


'Twas  you  that  brought  this  here.      It  is  myself! 
The  shining,  disembodied  soul  of  me. 
This  is  the  thing  the  martyred  Lincoln  saw 
E're  three  days  fell  he.      Am  I  satisfied? 
Oh  hollow  voice  of  horror,  speak  no  more  ! 
Away  !  away  !  away  ! 

(She  backs  away;  meantime  the  woman  takes  off 
her  shawl  and  reveals   Madam   Mariscali.  ) 

Thou  shalt  not  grasp  me! 
(To  Madam  Mariscali) 

Conjure  this  shadow  hence!   'Tis  you  that  did  it! 
What  can  my  ghost  foretell? 
MADAM   MARISCALI  —  The  eyes  that  look 
On  vacancy,  the  chattering  talk! 
CARLOTTA  —  Who  are  you? 

MADAM  MARISCALI  —  Herald  of  madness!     Messenger  of 
death  ! 

(  Carlotta  endeavors  to  scream  but  is  transfixed. 
Enter  Josef  a.  ) 


ro6 


MAXIMILIAN 


JOSEFA — ( hi  amazement}  Madam  Mariscali! 

(  'Josef a  endeavors  to  seize  Madam  Mariscali. ) 

Help! 

( Madam     Mariscali     waves     Josef  a     back    and 
eludmg  her  grasp  glides  away.  ) 

CURTAIN 


ACT  FOUR 

r  HE  court  of  the  convent  La  Cruz  at  !^ueretaro 
at  the  right    the    convent    with    an    entrance 
opening  into  the  court.      A  view  of  the  hills 
about    Queretaro    above    the    wall.      Soldiers 
zu  a  Ik  ing     too    and  fro.      Others    lying    sleeping.      Enter 
Prince  Salm-Salm  and  a  crowd  of  soldiers  hurriedly. 

SALM — I  did  not  see  them  till  they  fired  upon  us. 

My  horse  dropped  under  me. 

A  SOLDIER —  I'm  wounded,  help! 

(He  reels;  is  caught  by  other  soldiers  and  carried 

off-} 

ANOTHER — The  surgeon! 
ANOTHER — (  To  another}   Your  cap  is  clipped. 
ANOTHER —  It  was  too  light. 

ANOTHER — I  saw  Gollardo  near  the  Alameda. 
ANOTHER — And  Escobedo  with  him. 
ANOTHER —  So  they  saw  us! 

SALM — Failure!  failure! 

A  SOLDIER —  Let  us  try  again. 

ANOTHER — It  will  be  darker  soon. 

ANOTHER —  But  now  they  know. 

ANOTHER — My  blood  is  boiling? 

ANOTHER —  Shall  we  knuckle  then? 

ANOTHER — Or  bite  the  dust? 

SALM —  But  as  we  had  the  word 

We  should  have  passed. 
A  SOLDIER —  Treason! 

107 


ro8  MAXIMILIAN 

ALL —  Treason? 

SALM —  Hush! 

Who  was  the  vanguard?    Where's  the  craven  wretch? 

A  SOLDIER — His  name  was  Mendez  and  the  idiot  blundered. 

I  stood  beside  him  when  the  picket  cried 

\Vhat  ho,  who  comes!      He  must  have  been  confused, 

For  on  the  sudden  he  said  Enemigo, 

Whereat  the  murderous  fire  belched  in  our  faces. 

He  fell.      You  see  my  hand! 

SALM —  Go,  have  it  dressed. 

(Sounds  of  musketry.      Enter  Miramon  in  a  rage 

with  the  blood  streaming  down  his  face.} 
SALM — You're  wounded,  sir. 

MIRAMON —  'Twere  better  to  be  dead, 

Than  fail  in  everything.      Where's  private  Mendez? 
SALM — He's  dead! 

MIRAMON —  How  many   killed? 

SALM —  Attend  your  wound! 

MIRAMON — I  felt  the  cursed  bullet  graze  my  cheek, 
One  of  a  whistling  thousand. 
SALM —  Did  you  hear? 

This  Mendez  whom  you  picked  to  lead  us  through 
Said  Enemigo  to  the  sentinel. 
MIRAMON — And     so    we    failed.      Well,  by   the  love  of 

God 

Two  things  alone  succeed  famine  and  death. 
What  can  we  do?      Oh  recreant  General  Marquez 
These  six  weeks  gone  to  bring  us  help. 
SALM—  Oh  devil! 

Who  took  our  horses,  soldiers,  arms,  munitions 
With  which  to  bring  the  Austro-Belgian  troops. 
And  this  slow  siege,  endured  for  near  three  months, 
Whilst  we  behold  his  majesty's  pale  visage, 
Growing  more  wan  amidst  the  thickening  gloom. 
MIRAMON — But  after  all  if  he  can't  fight  his  way 
To  us  what  struggle  must  we  have,  although 


MAXIMILIAN  109 

Our  forces  joined  him  somewhere  on  the  way. 

My  plan  is  best — to  fly! 

SALM —  What  else  remains: 

This  ends  the  last  attempt  to  send  for  help.. 

In  Mexico.      The  hills  about  are  swarming 

With  regiments  of  Liberals  pouring  in. 

There' s  not  a  vantage  point  but  has  a  cannon, 

And  like  a  band  of  stricken  Gauls  we  stand, 

In  this  huge  coliseum  shaped  by  Time 

Dying  before  an  audience  of  foes. 

A  SOLDIER — Yes,  and  we  starve. 

ANOTHER —  And  thirst. 

ANOTHER —  And  eat  horse  flesh, 

Stricken  with  fever. 

ANOTHER —  Drink  the  ditch-water. 

MIRAMON  —  Cheer  up  my  boys. 

ANOTHER —  The  fever's  coming  on  me! 

(^Murmurs  of  suffering  and  discontent^} 
OTHERS — The  hospital! 

(  7  Jhey  carry  him  off} 

(Enter  a  Sister  of  Mercy  carrying  a  basket^} 
THE  SISTER — (To  Miramon) 

Your  excellency  bleeds! 
MIRAMON — 'Tis  but  a  scratch. 
THE  SISTER —  I  bring  his  majesty  some  eggs 

And  bread  sent  by  San  Teresita. 
MIRAMON —  Bless  you! 

And  have  you  eaten? 

THE  SISTER —  Yes,  a  crust  with  tears 

Sv/eetened  by  prayers  for  all  who  suffer  here. 

(^She  crosses  herself} 
MIRAMON —  (Picking  straw  from   her^  Where  slept  you 

sister? 

THE  SISTER —  Not  where  I'll  sleep  to-night, 

I  brought  it  here. 
MIRAMON —  Why  sister! 


no  MAXIMILIAN 

THE  SISTER—  In  the  court 

You'll  find  the  straw  ripped  from  our  only  bed 

To  feed  the  horses. 

MIRAMON —  Saint,  I  thank  you. 

THE  SISTER —  But 

His  majesty? 

MIRAMON —  (Pointing  to  a  door} 

SALM —  You  know !  the  other  room 

Turn  to  the  left. 

MIRAMON—  The  right! 

SALM —  His  majesty 

Gave  up  his  quarters  to  the  wounded  soldiers! 

( Exit  sister  in  the  convent  as  they 

remove  their  caps. ) 
MIRAMON — When  was  this? 
SALM —  Yesterday. 

MIRAMON —  Oh  noble  soul. 

SALM — And  now  the  plan  postponed  for  my  return 
Must  be  put  through  to-night. 
MIRAMON —  For  had  Marquez — 

Come  hither  through  your  help  it  might  have  come 
To  this  same  pass  of  flight.      No  more  delays 
If  we  can  hold  the  emperor  to  the  scheme 
To-night  shall  see  us  safely  on  the  way 
To  Mexico.      But  why  his  sad  reluctance 
He  knows  the  seige  can  never  be  destroyed? 
SALM — But  then  Queretaro  has  touched  his  heart 
With  loyalty. 

MIRAMON —  He  fears  for  them? 

SALM —  Besides, 

The  wounded  soldiers. 

MIRAMON —  This  is   fantasy, 

A  sentiment  too  sickly  sweet.      For  Salm 
The  enemy  would  treat  our  wounded  soldiers 
As  well  as  we.      For  differ  as  we  may 
Juarez  is  a  man  and  'tis  his  spirit 


MAXIMILIAN  in 

Which  rules  the  troops  we  fear. 

SALM —  Alas, 

These  frowning  hills  about! 

MTRAMON —  The  fault  is  mine. 

There  is  no  choice  with  us  'twixt  true  and  false; 

The  careful   and  the  ill-considered  plans 

End  equally  in  failure.      But  you  know 

Mejia  has  been  ready  for  a  week 

To  make  the  sortie.     Win  his  majesty 

To  fly  to-night. 

(A  great  sound  of  musketry} 
SALM — As  usual  at  the  bridge 
The  fight  is  raging — 
MIRAMON — Ah  'tis  Lopez  there 
Who  leads  the  Cazadores.      Old  Mejia 
Rallies  the  native  troops.      The  pass  is  safe. 
'Tis  oft  the  enemy  has  been  repulsed. 
There  can  they  never  enter  in  the  city. 

(Enter  Princess  Salm-Salm  hurriedly} 
PRINCESS  SALM — Where  is  the  prince— ah 

{Throws  herself  in  his  arms} 
Such  horrors  were  related. 
You  live! — ah  general  you're  wounded! 

{A  shell  bursts  over  them) 
SALM — (  To  her} 
Go  in  the  convent. 

PRINCESS  SALM — No!  what  you  can  brave 
I  brave  also! 
MIRAMON —  You  are  a  soldier — 

{Great  shouting} 

SALM —  Hark ! 

MIRAMON —  The  bridge  is  safe! 

SALM —  At  least  they'll  rest  to-night! 

MIRAMON — 

Then  to  persuade  the  emperor  to  fly 
To  Mexico  and  there  in  wait  to  lie 


ii2  MAXIMILIAN 

Holding  the  capitol  against  the  world! 

( Miramont    Salm  and  Princess    Salm  go  in  the 
convent. ) 

Great  shouting  without  and  Mejia  enters  amidst 

the  cheers  of  his  soldiers.  ) 
MEJIA — 
Well,  boys  the  bridge  is  safe!     We  drove  them  off. 

(  They  cheer  him. ) 

It  was  not  I  who  did  it.      Colonel  Lopez 
Fought  with  the  ardor  of  Leonidas, 
Your  thanks  to  him. 

(  Cries  of  No   No — ) 
Be  silent  zealous  friends — 
'Tis  he  who  walks  besides  his  majesty 
W'hilst  the  sharpshooters  sight  with  careful  eye. 
'Tis  he  who  through  the  hospital  at  night 
'Till  morning  greys  stand  reverently  by; 
Whilst  him  we  serve  with  winged  prayers  assists 
The  parting  soul.      My  friends  remember  this — 
Your  thanks  to  him. 

A  SOLDIER —  Shall  we  be  butchered  uncle? 

ANOTHER — 
Or  starved  to  death. 

ANOTHER —  Or  burnt  up  by  the  typhus 

MEJIA — Silence! 

ANOTHER —  What  is  the  user 

ANOTHER —  We  can't  escape! 

ANOTHER — 

When  General  Marquez  comes. 
ANOTHER —  He  will  not  come. 

MAXIMILIAN —  (Entering  with  the  basket^) 

He  will  return!     Let  not  my  soldiers  doubt 
The  honor  of  a  general  of  the  empire. 

( A  shell  bursts  near  the  roof  of  the  convent,  a 
part  of  it  taking  off  the  arm  of  a  soldier. 
Maximilian  lifts  him  #/>.) 


MAXIMILIAN  113 

His  arm  is  gone! 

MEJIA —          (  To  some  soldiers}       Assist  him  in 

Turn  to  the  right. 

A  SOLDIER —      (  To  Mejia}     The  left!  the  hospital 

Is  moved. 

MEJIA —  His  majesty's  apartments. 

A  SOLDIER —  Yes! 

MAXIMILIAN — 

The  spacious  windows  catch  the  air  and  sun — 

That  inner  room  is  dark. 

A  SOLDIER —          (To  Mejia} 

In  very  truth 
His  majesty  is  one  with  us. 

(  They  take  the  soldier  in} 
MEJIA —  'Tis  plain 

Whene'er  your  majesty  appears  they  shell 
The  convent.      Go  within  I  pray. 
MAXIMILIAN —  And  why? 

(Aside}      Oh  for  a  lucky  bullet. 

(Aloud}      Have  no  fear. 
A  SOLDIER —      (Apart} 
He  covets  death  as  much  as  we  avoid  it. 
MAXIMILIAN —      (  To  Mejia} 
Here  have  I  walked  each  day  amid  the  bullets 
And  while  death  strikes  about  me  I  escape. 

(Enter   Salm) 

(  To  him}      So  then  you  failed 
SALM —  We  failed,  but  his  the  fault 

Who  fell. 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  who? 

SALM —  The  vanguard. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I'm  relieved, 

I  thought  'twas   Miramon. 
SALM —  It  might  have  been, 

He  picked  the  vanguard. 
MAXIMILIAN —  How  ill-starred  his  plans 


1 14  MAXIMILIAN 

SALM — 

Your  majesty  I  came  from  Colonel  Lopez 

Who  has  in  charge  some  traitors.      At  the  bridge 

They  failed  him,  in  despite  of  which  he  saved 

The  city,  but  his  wrath  is  hot. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Mejia, 

Tell  Lopez  that  I'll  have  no  traitors  shot. 

I  should  be  poor  in  spirit,  mean  in  soul 

To  punish  those  whom  this  gigantic  pressure 

Has  weakened  then  subdued.      No!  go  and  tell  him. 

(Exit  Mejia.) 
(Enter  several  soldiers  ghastly  pale.      One  falls 

on  his  knees) 

SOLDIER — We're  starving. 
MAXIMILIAN — (  Taki?ig   the  basket)   Here  is  food.      Go 

share  it. 

SOLDIER — {Looking  in)  Eggs! 

ANOTHER — Bread! 
ANOTHER — (Eagerly)  I'm  saved. 
MAXIMILIAN —  Be  fair  with  one  another. 

(  They  go  to  one  side) 
How  good  it  is  to  feed  these  starving  men. 
For  ever  as  my  hands  grow  whiter,  Salm 
My  soldier  spirit  rises  up  in  courage. 
SALM — I've  pleasant  news. 

(Enter  a  soldier  holding  up  the  stump  of  his  arm.) 
SOLDIER —  Long  live  the  emperor! 

MAXIMILIAN — God  bless  you — ah  his  arm ! 
SOLDIER —  Shot  off! 

(He  reels.) 

MAXIMILIAN — (  To  the  soldiers) 
Go  take  him  in. 

(  To  Salm) 

That's  food  for  me! 

It  touches  me  beyond  the  power  of  words — 
How  faithfully  the  soldiers  stand  the  siege. 


MAXIMILIAN  115 

But  what's  the  news? 

SALM —  Basch  has  arrived. 

MAXIMILIAN — From  Mexico — You  saw  him?    How's  the 

empress? 

SALM — He  will  be  here  at  once — and  touching  Marquez — 
Brings  sad  intelligence. 

MAXIMILIAN —  So  he  is  dead? 

SALM — To  honor. 

MAXIMILIAN —  What? 

SALM —  Let  Basch  relate  the  story. 

His  cynic  smiles  and  sneers  were  proof  enough, 
To  me  he  was  a  dog. 
MAXIMILIAN —  I  trusted  him! 

(Enter  Dr.  Basch.) 
I  am  delighted. 

BASCH —  Ah  your  majesty, 

Your  highness! 

MAXIMILIAN — But  how  could  you  come  to  me? 
BASCH — I  swore  that  I  would  die  to  do  it.      When 
I  reached  the  Liberal  lines  I  changed  my  plan 
And  faced  the  chief  commander — made  a  breast 
Of  who  I  was,  my  business,  I  was  searched 
Found  truthful,  granted  audience. 
MAXIMILIAN —  He's  a  man 

This  Escobedo.      But  of  Marquez — 
BASCH —  Thief  and  fiend! 

Who  now  disports  himself  in  Mexico, 
Turning  disorder  into  ordered  tribute, 
He  bends  the  people  to  a  vile  extortion. 
MAXIMILIAN — He's  failed  us  then?   But  can  her  majesty 
Do  naught  to  curb  him? 

BASCH — {Starting  and  embarrassed}  No,  your  majesty. 
MAXIMILIAN — You  started! 

BASCH —  With  thinking  of  her! 

MAXIMILIAN —  Does  she  live? 

BASCH — Your  majesty. 


n6  MAXIMILIAN 

MAXIMILIAN —  Her  health? 

BASCH —  Quite  shattered. 

MAXIMILIAN — (Lowering  his  voice)  Then— 

Her  mind? 

(Basch  turns  away.  A  silence.    Maximilian  sits.) 
BASCH — (  Taking  a  bottle  from  his  satchel) 
Your  majesty  some  brandy. 

(  Maximilian  drinks ) 
(To  Salm)  Prince, 

What  rations  have  you? 
SALM —  Corn. 

BASCH —  His  majesty? 

SALM — The  same. 
BASCH —  Prepare  some. 

SALM —  It  is  gone. 

BASCH —  It  is 

The  hunger  which  afflicts  his  majesty 

(  Maximilian  rises) 

MAXIMILIAN — Oh,  had  it  been  the  will  of  heaven  only 
To  sacrifice  my  heart,  my  mind,  my  life 
In  this  inscrutable  struggle.      But  for  her, 
This  little  girl,  this  princess  without  fault 
To  waste  her  spirit  on  the  barren  air 
Like  breath  of  flowers  upon  the  desert's  edge, 
What  cruel  prodigality !   Thou  fate 
Whose  fast  revenge  has  followed  me  to  this, 
Come  haste  the  play  and  end  the  tragedy 
And  let  the  curtain  fall.      Oh  Basch,  Oh  Salm — 
Dear  God,  if  thou  hadst  closed  those  tender  eyes 
Ere  they  had  stared  in  madness. 

(A  pause) 

But  good  Basch 

Where  is  she,  who  attends  her? 
BASCH —  In  the  castle 

Her  highness  watches  with  a  mother's  eye. 
And  I  have  placed  physicians  with  instructions 


MAXIMILIAN  117 

To  minister  alone  to  her. 
MAXIMILIAN —  J  thank  you! 

One  other  hand  she  needs,  'tis  mine.      To-night 
We  make  the  sortie.      Salm,  go  bring  the  treasure. 

(Salm  goes  in  the  convent.) 

(Enter  Lopez) 
(To  Lopez) 

You  are  well  come.      Where  are  the  generals? 
LOPEZ — At  hand  your  majesty. 

(Enter  Mejia  and  Miramon) 

MAXIMILIAN — Go  Basch!   the  hospitals,  I  am  too  weak 
To  join  you;   give  my  soldiers  tender  service. 

(Exit  Basch.    Re-enter  Salm  and  hands 

Maximilian  four  small  bags.  ) 
The  imperial  treasure  shrunk  to  this,  my  friends. 
Your  highness,  Miramon,  Mejia,  Lopez. 

(Hands  each  a  bag") 
Faithful  in  this  extremity  I  give 
All  that  remains.      My  heart's  best  thanks  beside 

(They  all  bow) 
We  go  to-night. 

MIRAMON —  To-night  your  majesty? 

MAXIMILIAN — The  sortie  starts  at  three. 
MEJIA —  We  can  be  ready — 

MAXIMILIAN — Then  do  so.       Each  about  his  proper  task. 
Fill  well  our  firing  lines  with  citizens, 
Their  musketry  must  hide  our  sortie.      I 
Shall  have  the  escort  of  the  cavalry 
Under  Prince  Salm  and  Lopez.      J  retire 
To  rest. 

(  A  silence  ) 

One  thing  remains 

SALM —  Your  majesty. 

MAXIMILIAN — Promise  if  I  am  captured  he  who  stands 
Convenient  to  the  task  will  kill  me — 

(A  silence) 


u8  MAXIMILIAN 

Well? 

You  promise? 
SALM— (Sorrowfully")   Yes,  I  promise. 

(4  silence.} 

ALL —  Yes,  we  promise! 

MAXIMILIAN — My  thanks    to    you.    When   all    has    been 

arranged 
Return  to  me. 

MEJIA —  God  bless  your  majesty 

MAXIMILIAN — 'Till  then  adieu — 

(  Maximilian  goes  in  the  convent} 

MIRAMON — (To  the  soldiers')  Soldiers,  a  word  of  caution: 
The  army  leaves  at  three  o'clock — 

(Murtnurs  of  delight} 

Attend! 

The  sortie  will  be  screened  by  citizens 
To  fill  the  lines  made  vacant  by  our  leaving. 
Therefore  be  not  alarmed  at  unknown  faces. 
There  will  be  firing  by  the  dummy  soldiers 
To  work  our  scheme.      At  last,  when  all  is  ready 
File  out  and  join  the  ranks.      Meantime  restrain 
Your  fear,  if  any  enter  here  they  come 
To  take  your  places. 

(Enter  several  women  with  baskets} 
A  SOLDIER — {Apart}          Heard  you? 
ANOTHER —  We  shall  eat. 

ANOTHER — We'll  poach  the  haciendas. 
ANOTHER —  Think,  a  chicken! 

ANOTHER — And  eggs! 

ANOTHER —  Bananas,  oranges — 

A  WOMAN — (  To  Mir  am  on}  You  buy? 

SALM — Yes,  do  we  not? 
A  WOMAN — (  To  Salm}          Of  course ! 
SALM — (To  Miramon)  We  play  the  game. 

THE  WOMAN — (To  Salm}  'Tvvas  yesterday   you  wanted 

musket  balls, 


MAXIMILIAN  119 

And  so  to-day  I  went  a  picking.      Look! 
SALM — I'll  take  that  basket.      They  are  ripe. 

(Some  soldiers  who  misunderstood  rush  forward) 
A  SOLDIER —  Melons! 

SALM — Bad  for  the  stomach! 

(The  soldiers  who  have  seen) 

Bah! 

SALM —  They  hurt  our  soldiers! 

(  To  the  woman) 

You  helped  us  when  our  store  of  ammunition 
Needed  replenishment.      These  can  be  cooked 
And  moulded  over.      Set  the  basket  there. 
Your  money! 

(  She  takes  it  and  retires ) 
MIRAMON — (  To  a  woman)  A  good  fine  pounder;  can  be 

used  again. 
(Holding  it  up) 

This  is  a  symbol  of  the  world,  my  friends, 
Cruel  and  round  and  bloody. 
(To  the  women)  Yes  I'll  buy— 

Poor,  as  we  are,  we  have  more  coin  than  friends — 
And  you  who  helped  us  in  our  need  shall  profit — 
(Aside) 

Although  we  fly. 

SALM —  To  fail  is  possible. 

MIRAMON — When  we  should  need  them. 
SALM —  Then  we  buy  the  lot 

MIRAMON — (To  the  women)   Here's  money  for  you  all. 

(  The  women  set  their  baskets  down ) 
MEJIA — (Coming forward)  You  did  not  fear? 
I  know  these  women. 
MIRAMON —  No! 

(  The  wo?nen  retire,  are  accosted  by  the  soldiers 
for  a  moment  and  go  out.) 

But  then  at  last 
What  was  it  that  resolved  the  emperor? 


120  MAXIMILIAN 

SALM — Her  majesty. 

MIRAMON —  But  where? 

MEJIA —  Within  the  convent: 

SALM — All  reasons  failed  to  move  his  noble  heart 

Save  that  he  learned  her  majesty — 

(He  pauses) 

MIRAMON —  You  pause! 

SALM — That  delicate  reason  broke  beneath  the  strain. 
MIRAMON — Madness ! 

{A  silence*} 

Then  to  succeed  in  this. 

(Enter  Labastida') 

LABASTIDA —  A  Council. 

MIRAMON — We  fly  to-night. 

LABASTIDA —          'Tis  well  indeed.      But  whither — 
MIRAMON — To  Mexico. 
LABASTIDA —  But  Mexico  'tis  said 

Is  pressed  by  Liberal  troops,  and  all  the  way 
North  from  San  Luis  where  Juarez  holds 
His  capitol,  southward  to  Vera  Cruz 
The  Liberals  invest  the  stricken  country. 
MIRAMON — So  have  J  heard. 
LABASTIDA —  Then  why  to   Mexico? 

MIRAMON — To  hold  the  capitol  against  the  world! 
LABASTIDA — Your  excellency  jests.    There  would  be  reason 
To  pick  a  northward  route  and  reach  the  States; 
Once  in  America  his  majesty 
May  fly  to  Austria.      For  who  but  hears 
The  empire's  dying  groans. 
SALM —  No  never. 

MEJIA —  Never — 

LABASTIDA — 'Tis  not  humanity  that  deals  in   "Never" 
Courage,  like  yours,  should  find  a  better  use. 
The  church  performed  its  contract  when  it  gave 
Both  men  and  money  to  this  enterprise. 
But  when  the  army  settled  in  this  basin, 


MAXIMILIAN  T2i 

All  then  was  lost;  besides  the  hopes  that  perished 

In  the  cold  glare  of  empire,  tardy  spring 

In  which  naught  flourished.  (Exit  in  Convent} 

MIRAMON —  That's  a  freezing  soul! 

Thus  fail  the  friends  whose  friendship  must  be  bought. 

SALM — What  does  her 

MIRAMON —  Carps  and  shades  away  his  course 

To  blend  it  with  the  rising  power — To  work! 

(  Miramon,  Salm-Salm  and  Mejia 
go  out. ) 
LOPEZ — (  Looking  after.  )      'Tis  well  you  rally  us  to  leave 

this  hole 
'Tis  thanks  to  you  that  put  us  in  the  same. 

(Enter  a  woman} 

THE  WOMAN — I  think  you're  Col.    Lopez? 
LOPEZ —  Well,  my  woman. 

WOMAN — Here  is  a  cannon-ball  I  bring  to  sell  you. 
LOPEZ — (Takes  it.  )      Where  did  you  find  it? 
WOMAN —  Embedded  in  the  wall. 

LOPEZ — (  To  a  soldier •) 
Here  for  our  stores !      Your  pay  ! 

(Hands  her  a  coin  and  walks  away) 
WOMAN —  But  sir. 

LOPEZ — (Aside)      I  know  that  voice! 

(He  walks  back) 
WOMAN —  Will  you  not  read? 

(She  hands  him  a  paper) 
LOPEZ — Who  are  you? 

(Aside)  The  darkness  screens  her  face,  I  know  that  voice 
But  cannot  think. 
WOMAN —  Read,  sir. 

(Lopez  retires  to  the  wall  of  the  convent  where 

a  lantern  is  hanging  and  reads} 
LOPEZ — (To  the  soldiers)      Patrol  the  entrance! 

(  The  soldiers  who  were  walking  go  out) 
And  you  brought  this  message? 


122  MAXIMILIAN 

WOMAN — For  special  deliverance  to  you. 

(JjQfez  crushes  the  paper  in  his  hand,  takes  down  the 
lantern  and  rushes  toward  the  woman  hur 
riedly) 
LOPEZ — {Holding  the  lantern  in  her  face}      Who  are  you? 

Julia — 

MADAM  MARISCALI — The  republic's  widow! 
LOPEZ — Dear  God  in  heaven  do  I  wake  or  dream? 
MADAM  MARISCALI — You  wake,    you  live — through  me. 
LOPEZ —  And  is  it  true 

That  General  Escobedo  sends  me  this? 
MADAM  MARISCALI — At  my  request. 
LOPEZ —  'Tis  you,  who  speak — a  woman — 

Conjuring  to  my  mind  the  thought  of  shame, 
Touching  the  nerve  of  fear,  the  spring  of  hope — 
A  woman,  you  a  woman  with  soft  voice 
Veiled  in  the  ghostly  darkness  of  the  night, 
And  bringing  here  the  loathed  form  of  treason, 
Whose  forked  tongue  licks  cold  against  my  hand. 
MADAM  MARISCALI — You  strove  to  save  my  husband  and 

I  strive 

To  save  you  in  requital.      Do  you  think 
It  was  no  sacrifice  for  me  to  do  this? 
It  taxed  my  wits  to  gain  admission  here. 
But  when  I  heard  your  name  tossed  round  in  glee 
Just  as  I  nursed  the  wounded  and  fhe  dying. 
And  when  they  said  that  from  the  highest  wall 
Your  corse  should  hang  upon  the  city  falling, 
I  said  to  Escobedo,  write  it  to  him, 
I'll  take  the  message.      I  am  here  you  see. 
LOPEZ — Your  daring  over-whelms  me.      Think  of  it, 
You've  crossed  our  lines.      You're  in  our  citadel. 
MADAM  MARISCALI — Ah  but  they  hate  you! 
LOPEZ —  Me,  they  hate  me,  Julia? 

MADAM  MARISCALI — They  hate  you  for  the  past.      They 

hate  you  all, 


MAXIMILIAN  123 

Mejia,  Miramon,  all  Mexicans 

Whose  principles  have  changed.      Who  comes  to-night 

With  messages  to  them?      It  is  to  you, 

To  you  alone  that  Providence  extends 

The  hope  of  life,  because  it  chanced  to  be 

Our  souls  were  intermingled. 

LOPEZ —  Yes,  I  loved  you — 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Nay  more  you  love  me! 

LOPEZ —  Yes!  you  know  I  love  you. 

Our  separation  was  that  undertone 

Which  yet  subdues  the  melody   of  life. 

To-night  you  come  in  such  a  puzzling  guise, 

Armed  with  the  memory  of  a  summer's  day, 

And  ask  me  to  betray  the  emperor. 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Some  one  approaches. 

LOPEZ—  {Blows  out  the  lantern} 

Come!  (They  retire  to  one  side} 

(A  soldier  enters  from  the  convent} 
SOLDIER — Who's  there? 

(Lopez  emerging}          'Tis  I. 
SOLDIER — 'Twas  you  I  sought,  his  majesty  is  ill, 
And  sickens  to  the  death.      Where's  Dr.  Baschr 
LOPEZ — Search  through  the  hospitals ! 
SOLDIER —  Why  should  he  leave 

His  majesty  for  service  such  as  that? 
LOPEZ — His  majesty  so  ordered. 
SOLDIER —  What  a  mid-night! 

Where  are  the  lights? 
LOPEZ —  Make  haste — 

(  The  soldier  goes  out} 

Come  forth —     Depart  \ 
Require  my  life  but  not  this  wretched  act. 
The  emperor  is  ill !      What  am  I  doing? 
With  any  soul,  or  under  any  stress 
To  hold  debate  like  this? 
MADAM  MARISCALI —  Are  you  apprised 


124  MAXIMILIAN 

The  Liberal  out-post  has  been  moved  to-night 

Close  to  the  city  gates?    Ere  morning  comes 

The  city  falls. 

LOPEZ —  Then  let  me  perish  too! 

MADAM  MARISCALI — For  him  who  lives?      The  emperor 

will   be 

A  prisoner  of  war,  released  at  last 
To  freedom.      While  the  renegades  who  held 
With  stubborn  zeal  to  him,  will  die  the  death. 
(.Jueretaro  will  fall  in  your  despite; 
But  if  it  does,  you  know  the  consequence — 
For  Escobedo  writes  you.      Rouse  yourself! — 
Is  it  a  sin  to  save  your  life? 
LOPEZ —  (Feebly^      Depart! 

MADAM  MARISCALI — How   many   helpless  children,  men 

and  women 

Will  perish  in  the  shelling  of  the  city, 
And  to  no  use.      At  last  the  city  falls — 
Marquez  has  saved  himself  in  Mexico. 
Miramon  and  Mejia  will  be  shot 
As  traitors.      You  as  a  felon  hung. 
The  fallen  prince  will  go  to  Austria 
With  all  the  honors  of  war.    But  if  you  give 
The  citadel  to  General  Escobedo — 
One  change  occurs,  you  live!      Ah  dear!      but  listen 
WTill  you  not  yield?     You  shall  not  doubt  rny  purpose: 
Search  then  my  soul,  to  you  is  nothing  hidden. 
The  passions  which  impel  my  heart  are  two, 
Revenge  and  love.      First  with  this  little  hand 
To  wreck  the  throne  which  slew  the  General — 
And  next  to  save  you. 

LOPEZ —  Julia,  1  believe  you ! 

MADAM  MARISCALI — You  shall  not  wildly  throw  your  lite 

away 

This  is  a  mad  fanaticism  which 
Recoils  on  you  and  blesses  none.  Between 


MAXIMILIAN  125 

Our  souls  the  truth  alone  has  been — I  call 

The  spirit  from  the  hour  that  parted  us 

When  to  the  woman  who  had  tangled  you 

And  for  the  child  I  seized  this  love  of  mine 

And  hushed  its  vain  regrets — 

LOPEZ —  Repeat  the  words 

That  day  you  sweetly  said. 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Ah  Miguel! 

LOPEZ — Repeat  those  words. 

MADAM  MARISCALI —  Quite  softly  in  a  whisper. 

LOPEZ — No  audibly,  so  that  the  inner  sense 

May  fondly  hear  their  echo. 

MADAM  MARISCALI —  Well — 

LOPEZ — Repeat  them — 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Yes,  I  love  you   (He  takes  her  in  hi? 

arms  and  kisses  her} 
List! 

{Steps  are  heard.     They  retire  again.     Enter  the 

soldier  with  Miramon  and  Dr.  Basch. ) 
MIRAMON —  But  Doctor, 

What  can  we  do,  the  army  waits  the  word — 
All  is  in  readiness. 

BASCH —  If  it  be  only 

A  pain  to  be  allayed,  by  three  o'clock 
That  can  be  done;  but  then  you  know  the  weakness 
Attending  this  complaint.    His  majesty 
Must  now  be  carried. 

MIRAMON —  Nothing  shall  prevent 

The  sortie  at  the  hour.      Come  on ! 

( The v   go    in  the  convent.      Lopez  and  Madam 

Mar  is  call  come  out  of  biding} 

MADAM  MARISCALI —  And  so  to-night 

The  imperial  army  flies!   You  yield? 
LOPEZ — {Confused}  But  stay 

You  shall  not  go.      You  over-heard  our  plans. 

{She  starts  to  leave) 


126  MAXIMILIAN 

MADAM  MARISCALI — Farewell! 
LOPEZ —  Julia! 

(He  seizes  her) 

MADAM  MARISCALI —  Remove  your  hands! 

LOPEZ —  My  duty! 

MADAM  MARISCALI — And  mine;   I've  tried   to  save  vou. 

You  refuse. 

You  scorn  my  warning.      So  my  other  duty 
Born  not  of  love  of  you,  but  love  of  country 
Love  of  our  native  people,  intermixed 
With  feelings  of  revenge  because  my  husband 
Fell  in  the  cause  of  Freedom  by  the  hand 
Of  him  you  serve — this  is  my  other  duty 
The  republic's  widow  must  perform  to-night. 
Unhand  me!   shall  I  scream? 
LOPEZ —  Not  if  you  love  me. 

MADAM  MARISCALI — But  if  you   love    me,    let    me    go    at 

once. 

LOPEZ — If  you  cry  out  we  shall  be  seen  together. 
Stay  here  in  peace  and  let  the  sortie  prosper. 
Now  I  detain  you,  when  the  army  leaves 
You  will  be  taken  with  it  in  my  care. 
MADAM  MARISCALI — Madman!   Your  army  will  be  dashed 

to  pieces 

Amidst  the  countless  hosts  about  these  hills. 
T  promise  you  that  harm  shall  come  to  none 
Save  to  the  generals — the  prince  and  you 
Shall  live,  be  free ! 

LOPEZ —  Oh  fate,  oh  time,  oh  love 

Oh  fear  of  death,  ye  dread  conspirators 
Who  will  not  leave  me  in  the  path  of  honor. 
What  tragic  means  of  retribution  this: 
That  I  who  snared  the  Mexican  republic 
Just  twenty  years  thereafter  should  betray 
The  empire. 

(He  seizes  the  bag  of  treasure  at  his  belt) 


MAXIMILIAN  127 

Hence  imperial  gold! 

(He  throws  the  bag  down,   it  breaks  and  the  coin 
spill) 

It  spills — 
Bad  luck;   the  lantern.      Let  us  pick  them  up. 

(He  lights  it) 
(And  sees  with  surprise) 
The  silver!      Marked  as  Judas  ere  I  did  it 

(A  silence) 
'Tis  fate. 

(He  spurns  the  silver  with  his  foot.) 
I'm  yours. 

(  They  go  out) 

(Enter  a  number  of  soldiers) 
A  SOLDIER —  I'm  dead  for  sleep. 

ANOTHER —  And  I. 

ANOTHER — 'Tis  better  sleeping  here. 
ANOTHER—  Than  near  the  dead. 

ANOTHER — The  pantheon  has  ghosts. 
ANOTHER —  Keep  still. 

ANOTHER —  Who's  watching? 

ANOTHER — Those  yonder. 

(  They  lie  down) 

(Enter  Maximilian,  Dr.  Bascb  and  Miramon) 
MAXIMILIAN — I'm  very  ill. 

BASCH —  Your  majesty  must  rest. 

MAXIMILIAN — What   is    the    temperature?     My    room    is 

stifling, 

And  reeks  with  musty  smells.    Some  brandy  Basch! 
BASCH — Your  majesty 

(Hands  Maximilian  a  flask.      He  drinks) 
MAXIMILIAN — I'm  better,  but  the  heat, 
If  I  could  rest  here  in  the  open  air. 
Are  there  no  soldiers  here?  Ah  Miramon 
Bring  out  my  cot — my  cot  and  place  it  there. 

(Exit  Miramon  in  convent) 


128  MAXIMILIAN 

What  is  the  hour? 

BASCH —  The  convent  clock  struck  two. 

MAXIMILIAN — If  but  the  empress  were  among  the  dead 
Then  might  I  die  this  hour — then  might  I  die. 

(He  zvalks  to  one  side  and  steps  on  the  silver} 
What's  this?   The  silver  that  I  gave  to  Lopez — 
BASCH — What  can  it  mean? 
MAXIMILIAN —  Where's  Lopez? 

BASCH—  Was  he  robbed? 

Murdered  perhaps? 

(Re-enter  Mir  amort  with  a  tot} 
MAXIMILIAN — (  To  him)  Where's  Lopez? 
MIRAMON —  He  was  here. 

MAXIMILIAN — I  did  not  think.      Who  keeps  this  citadel? 
There's  none  but  sleeping  soldiers  holding  guard. 
Go  Miramon  and  seek  him!   First  arrange 
The  cot  behind  the  corner  over  there. 

( Miramon   takes   the  cot  and  retires  behind  the 

corner) 

I'm  weak.      I'm  growing  fainter.      Help  me  Basch. 
I  must  lie  down. 

(Maximilian  and  Basch  retire — Miramon 

emerges) 

MIRAMON —  The  silver!   Can  it  be 

A  sense  of  jealous  wrong  was  roused  in  him? 
The  emperor  gave  the  rest  of  us  the  gold; 
Perhaps  he  knew  this;   threw  it  on  the  ground. 
But  where  is  he?   My  soul  is  dark  with  fear, 
The  air  seems  filled  w7ith  whispers  ominous. 

(Enter  Salm-Salm) 

SALM — Who's  in  the  shadow  of  the  convent  there? 
MIRAMON — Your  friend,  Prince  Salm 
SALM —  The  voice  of  Miramon. 

MIRAMON — Have  you    seen   Lopez!    There    is    treachery 

here, 
Murder  or  robberv. 


MAXIMILIAN  129 

SALM —  Why,  how  you  speak! 

MIRAMON — This  was  his  portion — look! 

SALM —  I  passed  him  now, 

With  one  of  these  peddling  women. 

MIRAMON —  He's  forgotten 

His  treasure. 

(Distant  musketry) 

SALM —  We  are  ready.      Do  you  hear 

The  distant  firing?      In  the  darkness  yonder 
Mejia  labors. 

MIRAMON — But,  the  guards,  your  highness — 
The  cavalry. 
SALM —  I'll  go  for  Col.  Lopez. 

(Exit) 

MIRAMON — Oh,  what  a  lethargy  can  come  from  hunger. 
(He  sits  on  the  steps  of  the  convent) 
What  aching  racks  my  bones.      The  emperor 
Has  fallen  in  sleep.      'Tis  well,  I'll  wait  the  hour 
WTith  open  eye.      The  firing  should  be  louder. 
Ah  me!  the  shame  to  slink  away  and  leave 
Our  chosen  fort,  the  blot  is  on  my  hands. 
The  devil's  got  us — had  us  from  the  first — 

{Sound  of  marching  men) 
Ah — him  — 

(He  yawns) 

But  then  you  know!     So  soon,  Mejia? 
Good,  faithful  Tomasito — Lopez! 

(He  sleeps.      Enter  a  crowd  of  soldiers  who  pick  up 

the  guns  of  those  lying  asleep,  also  unstrapping 

and  taking  swords,  including  that  of  Miramon. 

After  doing  so  they  pass  out.      Enter  an  officer 

and  three  soldiers. ) 

OFFICER — {Looks  around)  None! 

The  others  you  have  turned  toward  the  convent. 
Behind  each  cannon  let  a  soldier  stand. 
Just  at  the  moment  have  the  taper  ready, 


130  MAXIMILIAN 

Fire  if  I  order. 

(  They  go  out") 

(Enter  Lopez) 

LOPEZ —  Yet  there  is  time  to  do  it. 

The  emperor  is  there  in  calm  repose 
Unconscious  of  the  hovering  destiny. 
The  cavalry  is  waiting  at  the  gate. 
I'll  fly  and  tell  him  all.      I'll  rescue  him. 

(He  hurries  to  the  steps  of  the  convent  and  falls 

into  Miramon. ) 

MIRAMON — {Asleep)     There!  save  the  emperor! 
LOPEZ —  Prophetic  devil! 

MIRAMON — My  wife  and  little  children  left  alone — 
You  smear  your  hands  with  blood — 

(Deeper) 

with  blood. 

(  His  voice  is  choked  with  tears.    Lopez  shrinks  away} 
LOPEZ — {Aside)      Abhorrent  dreams!      Yet  does  he  feign 

this  talk? 

MIRAMON — A  drink!  a  drink;  I'll  fight  until  I  drop — 
LOPEZ — {Approaching  again")      He  dreams  indeed! 
MIRAMON —  Lopez  the  bridge!      Stand  back! 

His  majesty  so  pale  but  resolute — 
LOPEZ — I'll  pass  him  cautiously. 

(  He  starts  forward,  when  a  loud  voice  is  heard  ex 
claiming  stmy  sword y  my  sword"  and  enter 
from  the  rear  a  French  captain  with  a  lantern. 
Lopez  retires') 

CAPTAIN —  Some  one  tell  me — 

Who  are  these  sooty  devils?     Who  speaks  Spanish? 

{He  twists  his  mustache  furiously — Enter  a  number 

of  soldiers) 

Is  no  one  waking?      Some  one  took  my  sword. 
The  soldiers  sleep.      Is  not  a  soul  on  watch? 
A  SOLDIER — We  are! 
CAPTAIN — Some  one  has  taken  my  sword. 


MAXIMILIAN  131 

ANOTHER — {Laughing}      But  who? 

CAPTAIN — Well,  who  are  you? 

THE  SOLDIER —  A  soldier  under  Lopez. 

CAPTAIN — Is  that  prevention  'gainst  a  trait  of  theft? 

You  guard!  my  sword  is  gone! 

(He  thinks} 

Why  lying  knave, 

I  met  your  black  commander  over  there. 
How  are  you.  under  Col.  Lopez  then? 
Does  some  one  crave  a  broken  pate;  a  nose 
Suffusing  tears  and  blood? 

{He  slaps  the  soldier  with  his  glove") 
Draw  wretch ! 

{He  feels  for  his  sword} 
{ Finding  it  gone,  he  turns  around^) 

My  sword — 
You  are  beneath  me! 

(Enter  Mejia  from  the  court"} 
MEJIA —  Silence!  what's  the  matter? 

CAPTAIN — These  men  are  thieves! 
MEJIA —  No,  they  are  citizens. 

CAPTAIN — My  sword  is  gone! 

{Soldiers  rising  from  slumber"} 
SOLDIER —  And  mine 

ANOTHER —  And  mine 

ANOTHER —  And  mine 

CAPTAIN — 

{Seeing  Miramon  on  the  steps  rushes  over  to  him 
and  shakes  him.      During  the  confusion  Lopez 
slips  into  the  convent.  ) 
Rascal! 

{Drags  him  up} 

My  sword ! 

MIRAMON—  Enough ! 

CAPTAIN —  Have  you  not  seen? 

MIRAMON — I  am  awake! 


MAXIMILIAN 


(He  pushes  the  Frenchman  away  and  sees  Mejia.) 

What  is  the  hour? 

MEJIA—  I'll  call 

The  emperor.      The  time  has  come! 

(Enter  a  soldier  hurriedly} 

SOLDIER—  Why  uncle  — 

A  throng  of  soldiers  pass  the  outer  gate? 
MIRAMON  —  What  is  it? 
MEJIA  —  (  To  tbe  soldier) 
Go  and  send  the  idiots  back  — 
Fifty  may  come;  but  send  the  rest  to  fill 
The  city's  lines. 
LOPEZ  —  (From  tbe  convent") 

We  are  betrayed  !  betrayed  ! 
THE  FRENCH  CAPTAIN  —  I  knew  it! 
LOPEZ  —  (In  the  convent} 
Where  is  the  emperor? 

MEJIA—  Betrayed! 

MIRAMON  —  Betrayed! 

MEJIA  —  The  troops!  the  cannon! 

LOPEZ  —  (Rushing  to  the  door) 

Save  his  majesty  — 
There's  time  —  there's  time  —  where  is  his  majesty? 

(He  rushes  about.      A  crowd  of  soldiers  enter. 

General  Escobedo  emerges  from  the  mass. 

The  soldiers  level  their  guns  at   Mejia, 

Miramon  and  Lopez) 
MIRAMON  —  General  Escobedo! 
ESCOBEDO  —  (To  Miramon)  Your  sword! 

MIRAMON  —  (Feeling  for  it)  Who  filched?  — 

MAXIMILIAN  —  (Emerging)  The  empire? 

CURTAIN 


ACT    FIVE 

^  room  in  the  convent  of  the  Capuchins  at  Quere- 

/l         taro.      The     walls     and  floor    are    barren. 

^  f  Alongside  the  left  wall  a  plain  bed  slightly 

draped.      At    its  foot  a   door    leading    to    a 

chamber.      To  the  right   of  the   bed  in  the  rear  wall  a 

door  leading  without.      In  the  left  wall  a  door  leading  to 

another  chamber.      In  the  center  a  plain  large  table  with 

papers  scattered  over  it.      Chairs  around  it.      Miramon 

and  Mejia  discovered  sitting  at  the  table.      Prince  Salm 

walking  up  and  down. 

MIRAMON — I  cannot  understand  it! 

PRINCE  SALM —  No,  nor  I. 

MIRAMON — The  temper  of  the  people  may  demand 

The  blood  of  Tomasito  and  my  own, 

For  reasons  obvious.      The  emperor 

Falls  in  a  different  class. 

PRINCE  SALM —  But  stranger  still, 

Not  the  united  voice  of  Europe's  thrones, 

Nor  even  America's  more  noble  suit — 

Can  move  Juarez's  heart. 

MIRAMON —  And  so  to-morrow 

At  sun  up  'mid  the  ringing  of  the  bells, 

Whose  solemn  clangor  thrilled  us  at  the  ball, 

We  expiate  the  crime,  whate'er  it  is, 

(133) 


134  MAXIMILIAN 

But  what  I  know  not.      Though  the  court  martial 

Decrees  us  guilty  and  the  government 

Affirms  the  finding. 

PRINCE  SALM —  Keep  your  courage  up! 

MIRAMON — (Groa?iing}  My  wife  and  little  children.    Oh 

the  dastard, 

The  devil's  spawn  who  trapped  our  citadel! 
PRINCE  SALM — He  too  has  striven  for  your  lives. 
MIRAMON —  Because — 

A  torturing  conscience,  like  a  bloody  head, 
Stuck  on  the  bed-post,  ever  dripping  blood 
And  leering  with  glassed  eyes  and  frozen  scowl, 
Gives  him  no  rest. 

PRINCE  SALM —  Two  hopes  remain  to  you 

The  princess  may  arrive  at  any  hour 
With  words  of  amnesty.      She  would  not  listen 
To  my  dissuasion  but  in  spite  of  all 
And  with  an  angel's  energy  and  hope 
Sped  on  to  see  Juarez.      Then  the  other 
A  secret          (Pointing  to  his  heart} 

'Till  1  see  his  majesty 
MEJIA — And  both  will  fail. 

MIRAMON—  Your  Indian  stoicism 

I  cannot  understand. 

PRINCE  SALM —  But  think  of  me — 

The  princess  three  days  gone,  and  where  none  knows 
Who  went  to  seek  Juarez  near  the  city, 
Perhaps  she's  killed!   Oh  bitter,  bitter  thought 
To  me  who  beat  myself  against  these  bars — 
Without  conviction,  but  with  ominous  silence 
Detained.      What  are  those  voices? 

(Enter  Princess   Salm-Salm  followed  immediately 

by  a  soldier, ) 
PRINCESS  SALM —  Prince — 

(She  falls  in  his  arms} 
SOLDIER — Madam,  retire. 


MAXIMILIAN  135 

PRINCESS  SALM —  I  have  a  full  permission 

To  enter  here — 

SOLDIER —  Then  show  it. 

PRINCESS  SALM —  But  it  is 

Among  my  papers,  in  my  room. 

SOLDIER —  Go  bring  it. 

PRINCESS  SALM — Mercy,  for  I  have  ridden  eighty  leagues. 

SOLDIER — Retire. 

PRINCESS  SALM —  I  might  have  known  I  had  it  here — 

(Hands  him  money) 
SOLDIER — You  call  this  your  permit? 
PRINCESS  SALM —  In  Mexico 

It  never  failed  me  yet.      Yes,  though  it  bears 
The  clear  embossment  of  his  majesty. 
SOLDIER — In  form  and  substance  it  meets  all  requirements. 

(Exit.) 
PRINCE  SALM — What  weary  hours  I've  waited,  watched 

and  dreamed 

Of  death  and  you.      And  you  have  failed? 
PRINCESS  SALM — Oh  Prince,  the  task  was  wholly  past  my 

strength. 

You  should  have  seen  me  race  the  Indian  ponies — 
For  ah,  no  sooner  had  I  reached  the  mansion 
Where  'twas  reported  that  the  president 
Was  lodged  than  did  I  ascertain  that  he 
Had  never  left  San  Luis.      And  alas, 
When  after  riding  without  drink  or  food 
And  almost  killed  by  an  assassin's  hand 
Screened  in  a  cactus  hedge  I  set  my  foot 
Within  the  portals  of  the  capitol 
A  Spanish  servant  bowed  to  me  politely 
And  laughing  at  my  sore  distress,   perhaps 
My  wild  demeanor  and  begrimed  condition 
Uttered  the  words — "He's  in  Queretaro". 
PRINCE  SALM — Queretaro! 
PRINCESS  SALM —  I  was  too  faint  to  stop 


136  MAXIMILIAN 

The  welling  tears.      And  then  without  delay 

I  traced  again  the  weary  road  until 

Queretaro  shone  twinkling  'mong  the  hills 

And  galloped  to  La  Cruz,  passed  through  the  door 

Fell  there  beneath  the  feet  of  old  Juarez 

And  battered  at  his  stony  heart  for  life! 

PRINCE  SALM — You've  seen  him? 

PRINCESS  SALM—  What  a  winter  for  my  heart 

So  full  of  grief,  so  open  to  his  frost 

Who  boasted  that  Napoleon  could  not  save 

His  majesty,  no,  nor  his  generals. 

And  then  he  spoke  of  you  so  fearfully 

"Strange  that  your  husband  fought  with  Lincoln's  army 

And  then  in  Mexico  stabbed  liberty." 

PRINCE  SALM — That's  ominous — we're  lost. 

(  Enter  Dr.  Basch.       The  princess  sits. ) 

PRINCESS  SALM—  A  glass  of  water. 

(If  is  brought. ) 

BASCH — (To  Salm)  Now  bathe  her  forehead! 

PRINCESS  SALM — (Surviving}         Thank  you,  sir. 

BASCH—  Your  highness 

Supports  a  heavy  strain. 

PRINCESS  SALM—  I  am  so  weary 

That  o'er  my  blackest  fear  sleep  stands  aloof 

And  bids  me  rest. 

BASCH—  Then  do  so. 

PRINCESS  SALM—  If  I  dared. 

BASCH — And  how's  his  majesty? 

MIRAMON—  Serene,  triumphant! 

BASCH — Your  excellencies  are  brave.      I  must  within. 

( Enter  Car  lot  t  a  disguised  as  a  Sister  of  Mercy.  ) 
CARLOTTA — They  searched  me  but  found  nothing. 

(She  takes  off  her  hood.      They  tur?i  around  and 

see  Carlotta. ) 

PRINCESS  SALM — (Startled)  Her  majesty! 

(  They  all  arise  ) 


MAXIMILIAN  137 

CARLOTTA — I  scorn  to  carry  daggers,  for  they  tear 

To  lay  on  me  the  bloody  hand  of  treason, 

While  yet  there's  poison  to  do  it.      Still  I  fly. 

And  now  the  council  sits.      Well,  what's  the  business? 

Who  sues  for  favors?   Oh  a  hospital — 

'Tis  granted. 

PRINCE  SALM — All  her  life  parades  before  her. 

PRINCESS  SALM — How    low    and    sweet    her    voice,    like 

lovely  music. 
CARLOTTA — And  then  the  schools.      But  sir,   no  more  of 

churches. 

Let  us  be  pious  in  our  homes.      I  knew 
They'd  kill  him!      But  my  prince  awake  and  strike 
The  villains  dead,  or  else  sign  up  the  order. 
Why  for  so  small  a  thing  endure  the  cage? 

(Looking  about") 

By  no  means  golden ! — I  have  seen  his  brother. 
Oh  that  was  paltry  business — spirit  of  Cain — 
To  shut  the  door  so  tight.      But  then  my  father 
Keeps  "Welcome"  o'er  the  portals  of  his  home — 
It  is  the  tomb,  the  hospitable  inn  for  all. 
PRINCESS  SALM — What  shall  we  do? 
MIRAMON —  His  majesty  should  never 

Behold  this  piteous  ruin — 
PRINCESS  SALM —  Break  my  heart! 

BASCH — Is  there  no  place  to  take  her. 
CARLOTTA —  You  did  err 

To  dawdle  with  the  time.      Be  stern,  my  lord. 
Oh  what  a  love  my  heart  has  given  you — 
All  heaven  can't  contain  it.      Once  again 
Myself  appears;  remove  the  ghastly  hood. 
That  is  my  face!      And  why  the  bitter  speech? 
Thou  knowest  well  that  I  am  satisfied ! 
PRINCE  SALM — How  could  she  get  here? 
BASCH —  With  the  cunning  mind 

Which  oft  they  have  who  are  afflicted  thus 


MAXIMILIAN 


She  has  eluded  all  who  watched  the  palace 

And  note  her  guise,  how  well  designed  to  fool 

The  guards  who  keep  the  prison;  then  besides 

None  knows  her  here. 

PRINCESS  SALM  —  How  altered  is  that  face 

Which  bore  the  stamp  of  noble  worth  and  beauty. 

CARLOTTA  —  Now    we    ascend    the    throne.      These   are 

our  children, 

Our  subjects  and  the  liberal  throne  pours  out 
Blessings  and  benefits.      For  I'm  sure,  Madam 
This  strand  of  diamonds  well  adorns  your  neck. 
We  recognize  your  husband's  worth  —  Bazaine  — 
Was  it  not  he  who  sought  to  overthrow 
The  empire?  and,  my  lord,  except  for  me 
Who  held  you  to  it,  what  had  foiled  the  wretch? 
PRINCE  SALM  —  Princess  approach  her  and  by  following 
The  present  mood  induce  her  to  retire 
To  yonder  room;  for  if  his  majesty 
Should  enter  here  what  horror  might  ensue? 
Be  quick  to  act! 

BASCH  —  When  she  is  safely  there 

I  will  administer  an  opiate 
So  that  subdued  with  sleep  she  will  not  cry 
Or  talk  and  by  her  most  familiar  voice 
Assail  his  heart. 

MIRAMON  —  Yes,  take  her  to  our  room 

Mejia  and  myself  on  some  pretext 
We'll  share  his  majesty's 

PRINCESS  SALM  —          {Approaching  her*}      Your  majesty, 
Now  that  the  business  of  the  day  is  done  — 
Might  I  accompany  your  majesty? 
CARLOTTA  —  Why  have  you  changed  your  voice? 
PRINCESS  SALM  —  It  is  a  cold 

CARLOTTA  —  Yes,  but  Josepha  — 
PRINCE  SALM  —  There  is  some  one  now  — 


MAXIMILIAN  139 

PRINCESS  SALM — Your  majesty — 

(She  takes  her  arm) 

CARLOTTA —  Josepha,  see  to  that  — 

BASCH — I'll  go  with  them.      Meantime  let  no  word  fall — 
The  priest  who  comes  to  see  his  majesty 
Has  learned  her  majesty  is  dead.  In  that 
Fit  ignorance  let  him  remain;  he  will 
In  tender  mercy  tell  his  majesty 
Who  prays  her  death  and  knows  of  what  we  see. 
CARLOTTA — I  trust  you — 

(She  laughs  quietly) 
Then  I  could  not  help  my  wrath 
It  was  so  unexpected,  that  embrace. 
The  ball  was  spoiled  for  me,  and  yet  I  laugh 
But  why  not  ride?      You  know  the  faithful  Lopez 
Stands  ready  to  conduct  my  guards.  I'll  tell  you 
A  tender  secret;  when  his  majesty 
Last  night  was  sleeping,  I  awoke  and  saw 
His  face  so  pure  and  boyish,  rather  sad, 
And  kissed  him  on  the  brow,  he  too  awoke 
And  found  me  weeping — 

(She  sighs} 

Ah,  did  you  hear  it? 
No  one  can  sigh  more  deeply — 

(  To  the  others) 

Fare  you  well — 
Tomorrow7  we'll  consider  of  the  navy. 

(She  bids  them  adieu) 

But,  oh,  I  pray  you  let  them  kill  him  not — 
Will  you  do  it?      Will   you  do  it? 
PRINCE  SALM —  Some  one  enters ! 

He  too  takes  Car  lot  t  a''  s  arm,  who  goes  to  the  room 
on  the  right  with  Prince  and  Princess  Salm- 
Salm.      Enter  Gen.  Escobedo) 
ESCOBEDO — Where  is  Prince  Salm? 
MIRAMON —  In  yonder. 


MAXIMILIAN 


ESCOBEDO—  -  And  who  else? 

MIRAMON  —  The  princess. 
ESCOBEDO  —  And  who  else? 

MIRAMON—  That's  all. 

ESCOBEDO  —  (After  hesitating}      Go  fetch  him. 

(  Mira?non  goes  in  the  chamber} 
I'm  sorry,  Tomasito,  you  have  come 
To  this. 

(  Mejia  does  not  reply) 
I  understand  you;  mutely  will  you  die 
Without  complaint.      If  clemency  there  were  — 
Then  should  you  live. 

(  Mejia  appears  lost  in  r  every} 
But  as  for  Miramon 
His  family  will  grieve;  none  others. 

(Re-enter  Prince  Salm  and  Miramon) 
PRINCE  SALM—  Tell  me 

What  is  my  fate? 

ESCOBEDO  —  Your  guilt  is  shaded  some 

Because  you  were  a  school  mate  of  this  prince 
Who  played  the  dangerous  role  of  emperor. 
PRINCE  SALM  —  If  you  but  knew  him. 
ESCOBEDO  —  Well,  and  if  I  did. 

Napoleon  knew  him  and  deserted  him. 
This  Col.  Lopez  knew  him  and  betrayed  him. 
PRINCE  SALM  —  But  each  of  us  would  die  for  him,  if  need 

be! 
ESCOBEDO  —  Well,  everyone  will  have  the  chance  to  die. 

(Re-enter  Princess  Sa/m) 
PRINCESS  SALM  —  How  horrible  your  words! 

(She 

PRINCE  SALM  —  Her  heart  is  breaking. 

ESCOBEDO  —  It  touches  her,  being  so  near  at  home. 
But  think  you  of  the  hearts  that  throb  no  more, 
Upon  whose  dying  ear  the  clarion  lapsed. 
Ah,  yes,  the  suffering  of  your  wife  is  tragic. 


MAXIMILIAN  141 

But  who  has  grieved  for  widowed  Mexico? 

Who  wept  to  see  that  precious  blood  effused, 

When  Mariscali  died  and  with  his  blood 

Sealed  with  a  firm  compact  our  liberties? 

Oh,  hypocrites  and  murderers  who  slay 

A  glorious  people  fighting  for  their  homes. 

Why  do  you  whine  when  on  your  hearth  is  laid 

The  bloody  sword? 

PRINCESS  SALM —  Bloody  it  is  in  truth. 

PRINCE  SALM — Sir,  if  your  mood  is  prone  to  be  so  stern, 

What  has  the  emperor  done  to  merit  death? 

ESCOBEDO — He  took  a  gambler's  chances  when  he  came. 

Napoleon  stacked  the  cards  and  gave  them  to  him 

And  bought  him  chips  and  furnished  him  with  guards, 

To  overawe  the  players  'cross  the  table. 

And  with  the  little  winnings  which  he  made 

He  sought  to  buy  a  sullen  people's  love 

For  all  the  flummery  of  monarchy. 

And  flung  his  coin  among  the  craven  French, 

Who  fawned  about  the  throne  they  helped  to  build. 

Whilst  we  endured  privation  in  the  hills 

Nursing  the  life  of  trampled  liberty 

Which  now  defies  the  despot  and  the  liar 

And  all  who  use  the  word  imperialism 

To  mask  the  face  of  greed. 

PRINCE  SALM —  Oh,  sir  in  truth 

You  fail  to  read  the  emperor's  heart  aright. 

If  men  could  only  banish  skepticism 

The  scabbard  maker  would  find  work  to  do. 

ESCOBEDO — We  understand  the  spirit  of  the  Prince. 

The  despot  powers  of  Europe  have  conspired 

To  spatter  lies  upon  the  face  of  truth. 

Satan's  a  liar  and  the  father  of  it: 

Therefore  he  sends  abroad  this  plague  of  armies 

Schooled  in  the  arts  of  pillage  and  of  murder, 

To  prop  a  hated  rule  and  furnish  forth 


142  MAXIMILIAN 

The  means  by  which  a  tinseled  indolence 

May  swagger  in  the  eyes  they  blur  with  tears 

Yes,  they  have  rilled  the  earth  with  lamentations 

And  plundered  every  clime;  and  Oh  the  fiends 

How  have  they  done  it?     In  the  Devil's  name? 

Sweet  heaven,  they  have  done  it  for  religion, 

For  God!  for  order,  for  the  good  of  man, 

For  fellowship,  for  liberty,  for  truth. 

Tell  me,  why  should  we  spare  the  fallen  prince? 

He  who  debauched  the  name  of  Mexico — 

He  who  disguised  the  face  of  despotism 

With  fair  pretence  and  wreathed  it  o'er  with  smiles. 

Whose  throne  was  laid  on  perjury,  veneered 

By  the  bright  color  of  his  private  worth. 

He  who  advised  a  vote  of  invitation 

Held  at  the  point  of  France's  bayonets. 

He  who  with  cold  idealism  sought 

To  stab  to  death  the  spirit  of  republics. 

He,  who  defied  the  great  United  States. 

Who  trod  a  path  of  blood  to  reach  the  throne. 

Who  dipped  his  hands  in  sanguine  proscription. 

Who  hurled  decrees  of  death  at  Liberals. 

Who  kept  a  patriot  army  in  the  mountains 

Exiles  for  heaven's  rights  and  heaven's  truth. 

WThose  judgment  forfeited  my  lease  of  life. 

Who  would  return  to  Europe  to  become 

A  rallying  menace  of  our  liberties, 

Hovering  above  us,  ready  to  descend 

If  revolution  shook  the  popular  will. 

He  dies!  And  as  for  you  who  were  adviser, 

Patron  and  pensioner  of  the  perished  empire, 

The  fate  is  yours  no  less,  although  delayed. 

PRINCCSS  SALM — Inhuman  man! 

ESCOBEDO —  Oh,  woman,  for  your  zeal 

I  pass  no  judgment.      But  to  show  our  spirit! 

What  shall  I  do  with  her  in  yonder  room, 


MAXIMILIAN  143 

Once  Empress? 

PRINCESS  SALM — (Kneeling}  God  in  heaven,  will  her  sex, 

Not  of  itself,  suffice  to  stay  your  hand? 

ESCOBEDO — Arise,  for  when  the  Mexican  republic 

Descends  to  levy  war  on  helpless  women, 

Empress  or  maid,  let  the  republic  die. 

(Enter  Juarez} 

To-night  the  president  vouchsafes  the  aid, 

The  purse,  the  heart,  the  tears  of  Mexico, 

For  hapless  Charlotte,  empress  once,  no  more, 

The  ruler  of  herself. 

JUAREZ —  And  so  it  is! 

PRINCE  SALM —  The  president! 

JUAREZ — (  To  Eseobedo^}  This  is  the  prince? 

ESCOBEDO — (Presenting    them)    The    President,     Prince 
Salm-Salm. 

JUAREZ — Sir. 

PRINCE  SALM — Sir. 

JUAREZ —  You  may  release  him. 

ESCOBEDO —  Release  him? 

PRINCESS  SALM — Oh  noble  heart  I  kneel  to  you;   I  thank 
you. 

JUAREZ — He  fought  for  liberty  with  Lincoln's  army 

To  free  the  slaves.      He  has  a  margin. 

PRINCE  SALM — (Kneeling)  Ah! 

Your  excellency. 

JUAREZ —  I  have  no  empty  title. 

To  administer  the  laws  is  not  to  rule. 

PRINCE  SALM — My  thanks,  my  thanks,  too  deep  for  words, 
my  thanks — 

JUAREZ — (To    Escobedo)    Of  this   dread    coming   of  the 
fallen  empress 

Let  naught  be  known. 

ESCOBEDO —  She's  yonder  in  that  room. 

PRINCE  SALM — In  heavy  slumber,   for  her  sense  is    van 
quished 


144  MAXIMILIAN 

By  sleeping  potions. 

JUAREZ—  Then  if  it  be  safe 

For  her  to  stay,  so  that  the  stricken  prince 

Shall  know  not  of  her  presence,  let  her  be. 

But  otherwise  with  proper  care  and  form, 

Adapted  to  her  station,  sex  and  sorrow 

Give  her  attendance,  comfort  and  assistance 

Where  it  is  best.      And  for  the  morrow's  task, 

Have  all  things  simple  as  befits  republics. 

Let  not  the  deed  be  colored  by  revenge. 

Prevent  disorder  and  unseemly  noise; 

Instruct  Gollardo  so.      And  as  I  deem 

It  proper  to  come  face  to  face  with  him 

Who  dies,  at  break  of  morning,  I  request 

All  others  to  depart.      And  one  of  you 

Tell  Maximilian  that  the  president 

Would  not  intrude,  but  fain  would  see  him  here 

If  he  desires. 

( They   all  go   out   except     Juarez.     Prince    and 
Princess     Salm-Salm     to    the    room    of  the 
empress.      Miramon  and  Mejia  to   Maximi 
lian' s  room.      Escobedo  without} 
It  is  the  people's  will 

I  execute;  it  is  the  stern  decree 

Whose  syllables  were  framed  at  Runnymede; 

Moulded  in  words  by  William  Prince  of  Orange, 

And  in  the  flowing  ages  formed  of  God 

Until  in  living  language  it  was  thundered 

Amidst  the  bells  at  Philadelphia. 

That  never  in  this  western  hemisphere 

Shall  there  be  Kings! 

(Enter  Maximilian} 
(4  silence) 

MAXIMILIAN —          You  are  the  president. 

(He  extends  bis  hand) 

Men  of  our  rank  should  be  impersonal. 


MAXIMILIAN  145 

JUAREZ — "Tis  nobly  said;    I  grieve  to  find  you  here. 

MAXIMILIAN — This  is  a  brief  confinement.      I  am  glad 

To  meet  you. 

JUAREZ —  Thank  you.      I'm  relieved,  indeed, 

Of  the  embarrassment  which  stayed  my  coming. 

For  to  intrude  upon  your  privacy 

Could  not  be  justified.      And  yet  despite 

The  comment  that  the  action  of  the  court 

Transgressed  the  rules  of  war,  I  wished  to  say 

It  is  the  people;   yes  it  is  the  spirit 

Which  overrules  the  course  of  polity 

In  all  this  western  world,  not  understood 

By  men  in  Europe,  wrhose  remorseless  sweep, 

Like  nature's  laws,  which  cannot  be  suspended 

Enforces  what  I  sorrow  to  behold. 

Yea  what,  had  I  the  power  to  will  it  so, 

Would  not  be  done. 

MAXIMILIAN —  I  clasp  your  hand  in  friendship. 

May  history  do  justice  to  us  both. 

Your  premises  were  Washington,  and  mine 

Were  Charles  the  Fifth.      And  which  were  true,  let  God 

In  time  determine. 

[UAREZ —  Can  I  serve  you  aught? 

MAXIMILIAN — Pardon  my  generals.      They  but  obeyed  me. 

JUAREZ — I  cannot  grant  it.      But  yourself? 

(A  silence} 

MAXIMILIAN —  Well,  then, 

Since  I  was  vanquished  in  the  game  of  war 
And  you  have  given  me  a  soldier's  death, 
I  ask  these  things  alone: 

JUAREZ —  I  hope  to  serve  you. 

MAXIMILIAN — Then  may  your  soldiers  truly  aim  at  me; 

(Points  to  bis  heart} 
And  may  my  body  rest  in  Austria. 
For  sir,  this  mind  of  ours,  while  leaping  o'er 
The  chasm  we  call  death,  still  glances  back; 


146  MAXIMILIAN 

And  with  a  loving  thought  regards  the  body, 
So  poor,  so  prostrate  on  the  other  bank — 
Mine  could  not  sleep  in  Mexico. 
JUAREZ —  I  feel 

With  you  in  this.      I  shall  observe  your  wishes. 
MAXIMILIAN — I  thank  you,  sir.      Farewell — ! 
JUAREZ —  Farewell! 

(Exit) 

MAXIMILIAN —  He's  noble. 

Like  some  bald  peak,  around  whose  sovereign  head 
The  cold  clear  air  reposes.      Yet  so  stern, 
As  I  should  be  were  it  a  task  of  duty 

(He  sits  at  the    table   and    writes.      Enter    twt 

soldiers.      One    approaches    him    with    mock 

servility    carrying    a   pillow   with  a   paper 

crown  upo?^  /'/) 

FIRST  SOLDIER — I  was  your  lackey  once  in  Mexico. 
'Twas  I  who  placed  beneath  the  cushioned  chair 
The  black  decree.      The  crown! 

(He  kneels  and  holds  up  the  pillow} 
SECOND  SOLDIER —  It  is  refused. 

Then  may  we  say  the  prince  has  been  converted. 

(He  kneels} 

I  was  your  lackey  once  in  Mexico. 
'Twas  I  who  placed  beneath  the  cushioned  chair 
The  proclamation  of  the  president. 
And  now  receive  the  declaration  writ 
By  Jefferson. 

FIRST  SOLDIER — (Mocking  him}  Juarez  is  no  more. 
SECOND  SOLDIER — The  Mexican  republic  has  collapsed. 
FIRST  SOLDIER — Only  brigands  resist  the  emperor. 

(Enters  from  Maximilian's  room  a  priest  and  sees 

what  is  being  done. } 

PRIEST — For  shame!  I  bid  you  stop.      Go  hence  at  once! 

(  The  soldiers  go  out} 


MAXIMILIAN  147 

MAXIMILIAN — I  thank  you  father.      But  how  strange!    my 

comrades 

Came  to  my  chamber. 

PRIEST —  I  have  learned  the  reason. 

To  take  the  sacrament  with  your  majesty 
Was  their  desire. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Already  I  had  done  so! 

PRIEST — To  them  but  even  now  I  did  administer 
Those  solemn  rites. 

MAXIMILIAN —  If  only  we  together 

Had,  as  they  wished,  received  them.      Kindest  father, 
I  note  the  absence  of  the  archbishop. 
Why  has  not  Labastida  come? 
PRIEST —  He's  gone! — 

MAXIMILIAN — So  to  win  favor  with  the  president 
He  lets  me  die  alone,  save  for  these  hearts 
Humbler  but  kinder.      Yet  in  heaven  who 
Is  over  all?   'Tis  he  who  was  the  servant! 
Therefore  I  bless  you  for  these  ministrations. 
Pray  for  me  that  this  wound,  which  only  heaven 
Knows  how  to  heal,  may  pass  without  a  scar. 
Not  loss  of  empire,  nor  my  sad  betrayal 
Moves  me  to-night.      It  is  the  thought  of  her 
Whose  gentle  mind  was  wrecked  by  Mexico 
That  makes  the  minutes  flag  behind  despair. 
PRIEST — Then  were  the  empress  dead — 
MAXIMILIAN —  If  she  were  dead! 

So  nevermore  to  feel  the  cruel  thorns 
That  grew  so  thickly  by  the  path  she  trod. 
For  now  I  leave  her  in  this  world  alone, 
Yea  in  this  land  of  foes,  while  otherwise 
I  soon  should  join  her  there.      I  was  but  writing — 
My  poor  Carlotta,  if  God  shall  permit 
Your  gentle  eyes  to  read  these  mournful  lines, 
Then  you  will  learn  that  from  a  hostile  sky 
The  levin-bolts  fell  thick  around  my  head, 


148  MAXIMILIAN 

Which  shattered  every  hope.      But  you  shall  know 

I  faced  with  solemn  pride  the  tragic  end, 

Died  like  a  monarch,  vanquished,  not  dishonored — - 

See  that  this  letter  reaches  my  Carlotta, 

If  ever  she  can  read  it. 

PRIEST —  Thanks  to  God, 

Since  that  your  majesty  has  made  the  prayer 

The  empress  is  no  more. 

( A  silence. ) 

MAXIMILIAN —  No  more! 

Oh,  tragic  news !      I  thank  thee,  God  in  heaven 
Who  set  my  sweet  Carlotta' s  spirit  free. 
No  more!  then  never  more  to  struggle  here, 
Like  some  bright  planet  buffeted  with  clouds. 
One  tie  the  less  to  bind  me  to  the  world. 
No  more!  no  more!      I  cannot  deem  her  dead 
She  lives,  for  me  as  ever. 

(  He  is  overcome.  ) 

PRIEST —  Yes,  in  heaven! 

The  love  of  Christ  support  your  majesty. 
MAXIMILIAN — I  am  content.      It  is  the  will  of  God. 
This  is  my  wedding  ring.  I  pray  you  send  it 
To  my  poor  mother  the  archduchess,  here 
I  give  my  will  for  you  to  keep.      You'll  find 
Some  poor  bequests  to  those  I  love.      How  poor 
To  grace  an  emperor's  will.      There's  one  for  you. 
Say  mass  for  me  when  I  am  gone.      My  soul 
Would  speedily  repose  with  hers.      My  thanks, 
My  thanks  to  you.      Here  are  my  comrades. 

( Enter  Miramon  and  Mejia. ) 
MIRAMON —  Yes, 

Comrades  who  brought  your  majesty  to  this, 
Forgive  us. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Miramon. 

MIRAMON —          My  wife  and  children, 
Sweet  heaven  protect  them ! 


MAXIMILIAN  149 

MAXIMILIAN —  Answered  is  your  prayer. 

MIRAMON — Ah,  God  inspire  me  with  that  perfect  faith. 

MAXIMILIAN — They  are  remembered  in  my  humble  will. 

MIRAMON — My  emperor,  you  shame  our  small  natures. 

That  man's  vile  heart  should  father  such  a  deed, 

To  take  your  noble  life.      For  what  sweet  heaven? 

Why  are  the  eyes  of  justice  turned  afar? 

Faugh  on  that  logic!      There  is  naught  but  law, 

They  captured  us,  and  as  the  leaping  fire 

Drives  on  the  bullet,  so  we  die  tomorrow, 

Yet  on  this  barren  field  of  common  fact 

The  sun-light  of  a  glorious  thought  is  shining — 

We  die  with  you. 

(Re-enter  Salm-Salm) 
SALM —  No !  for  you  may  escape. 

I  was  approached. 
MIRAMON —  By  whom? 

SALM —  The  officer 

Who  keeps  the  prison.      And  the  bargain's  made. 
He  wants  five  thousand  dollars  for  himself, 
Five  thousand  for  the  rest,  with  which  to  buy 
The  guards  on  watch.      The  money,  once  delivered, 
A  soldier  comes  with  Liberal  uniforms. 
We  put  them  on;  we  pass  the  door,  we  walk 
Before  the  guards  who  counterfeit  a  sleep. 
Four  horses  wait  for  us  within  the  yard. 
We  mount.      Put  to  the  spurs.      The  darkness  hides  us. 
MIRAMON — Yes,   but  the  money.      Where's  the  money, 

Prince? 

They  confiscated  every  piece  of  money. 
PRINCE  SALM — The  emperor's  draft  on  Vienna  will  suffice. 
MIRAMON — We're  saved! 

PRINCE  SALM —  Your  majesty  approves? 

MAXIMILIAN —  I'll  draw  the  draft. 

(  He  writes} 
MIRAMON — We're  saved! 


150  MAXIMILIAN 

METIA — They'll  take  the  draft  and  then  betray. 

PRINCE  SALM — Your  majesty  must  execute  a  protest 

To  stop  the  draft,  if  they  should  break  their  word. 

MEJIA — My  emperor,  my  brother,  haste  your  flight — 

But  waste  no  hopes  on  me. 

MAXIMILIAN —  Mejia,  why — 

MEJIA — I  stay.      My  time  is  come! 

PRINCE  SALM —  You  spoil  our  plans! 

MEJIA — Go,  all  of  you,  and  leave  me! 

MAXIMILIAN —  But  I  wish 

To  save  you. 

PRINCE  SALM — •  Madman! 

MIRAMON —  Stoic! 

MEJIA —  I  am  glad. 

For  with  the  contents  of  these  shrunken  veins 

I  seal  my  life;  and  to  these  many  years 

Of  war  and  revolution  add  the  oath 

Of  sacrificial  life. 

MAXIMILIAN—  Upon  me  then, 

His  emperor,  devolves  the  sacred  duty 

To  minister  to  him;  the  sacrament 

Hath  cleansed  his  soul  for  heaven.      There  remains 

The  human  voice  of  courage  and  of  faith. 

(He  picks  up  a  book} 
So  ere  we  part — 
MEJIA —  The  Greek! 

MAXIMILIAN —  Here  is  the  place. 

PRINCE  SALM — Your  majesty  the  dawn  is  near! 
MAXIMILIAN—  There's  time! 

(He  reads} 

"  'Twas  near  the  morning  now.      So  then  the  guard 
With  praises  for  his  gentleness  announced 
The  fateful  hour,  and  turned  away  in  tears. 
Then  Socrates  replied,  the  gods  be  with  you 
And  turning  to  the  others  said:      How   kind; 
He  weeps  because  he  knows  how  cheerfully 


MAXIMILIAN  151 

I  shall  obey  the  mandate  of  the  court 

Just  as  I  would  not  fly  from  prison." 

MIRAMON —  Ah! 

Who  was  this  man? 

MAXIMILIAN —  The  wisest  of  the  ancients' 

"Then  Crito  said  'the  sun  is  on  the  mountains; 

Some  I  have  known  who  did  not  drink  the  poison 

'Till  late  at  night.'      But  Socrates  replied: 

'What  childish  greed  of  life.'    Then  took  the  cup 

And  asked  the  guard  to  tell  him  what  to  do. 

'Walk,'  said  the  guard,  'when  you  have  drained  the  cup 

Until  you  feel  a  heaviness  of  spirit 

Then  lie  and  it  will  work.'      He  drank  it  off, 

And  looking  with  serenity  at  them 

With  solemn  voice  requested:      'Pray  for  me, 

That  through  the  darkness  haply  I  may  fare.'  ' 

MIRAMON — I  scent  the  morning  air! 

MAXIMILIAN —  "And  then  he  walked — 

Whilst  all  his  friends  were  sobbing." 

PRINCE  SALM —  We  must  haste — 

MAXIMILIAN — "  'A  man  should  die  amid  a  solemn  stillness' 

The  sage  observed,  and  as  he  pinched  himself 

And  knew  that  death  was  creeping  to  his  heart 

He  lay  him  down" — 

PRINCE  SALM —  Your  majesty  the  draft! 

MAXIMILIAN — "And  ere  he  covered  up  his  ashen  face 

With  kindliest  wit  he  jested  with  his  friends. 

'We  owe  a  cock  to  Aesculapius 

Do  not  neglect  the  debt.'  " 

PRINCE  SALM —  Your  majesty 

The  morn  is  near! 

(  Maximilian  hands  him  the  draft} 

MAXIMILIAN — {Reading}    "  'And  noble  friend  what  else? 
His  face  was  set.'  ' 

PRINCE  SALM  —  {Reading)      "This  draft  was  given  to  aid 
General  Mejia  and  General  Miramon 


152  MAXIMILIAN 

To  fly'1.— Your  majesty? 

MAXIMILIAN—  Will  pay  the  debt! 

MEJIA — Republic,  revolution,  empire,  death 

We  lost  the  game.      For  losing  we  should  die. 
Strike  out  my  name. 

MIRAMON—  And  mine! 

PRINCE  SALM—      (Aside}      Oh  madmen! 
MAXIMILIAN — My  friends,  may  no  extravagance  of  friend 
ship 

Bind  you  to  me  in  such  a  solemn  league. 
Fly  while  you  may!      And  let  him,  whom  Bazaine 
Sneered  at  as  manakin  and  idealist, 
Die  all  alone;  and  in  that  death  to  rise, 
Like  Socrates,  upon  the  heights!      And  when 
The  murderous  jailers  come  at  dawn  to  peek 
On  fallen  pride,  on  sorrow,  on  despair, 
Let  them  behold  the  child  of  Charles  the  Fifth 
Erect  and  ready.      See  the  crownless  King 
With  forehead  diademed  with  resolution. 
For  with  my  blood  upon  this  western  world 
I  plant  the  seeds  of  empire,  which  my  fathers 
Nourished  in  centuries  past.  And  they  will  spring 
In  armed  men  hereafter  to  avenge  — 
My  martyrdom.    So  with  the  Greek's  contempt 
I  scorn  to  ask  my  life.      'Tis  theirs  to  do 
What  justice  asks,  what  equity  demands — 
But  you — my  friends,  the  life  of  man  is  sweet — 
So  fly  and  leave  me. 
MEJIA —  Never 

MIRAMON —  (After  a  time)          Never 

MAXIMILIAN —  Ah! 

You  quite  unman  me  with  this  fealty. 
If  in  the  years  to  come  the  world  shall  read 
That  two  convicted  men  marked  out  for  death 
Clung  to  the  person  of  a  fallen  king — 
There  will  be  tears  and  memory  for  you. 


MAXIMILIAN  153 

MEJIA — Give  me  the  draft. 

(He  tears  it  up} 
MIRAMON —  The  east  is  gray  with  light! 

(Re-enter  Dr.  Baschfrom  the  chamber} 
BASCH — (Aside  to  Salm)      Her  majesty  reposes;  and  her 

highness 
Sleeps  near  her. 
MIRAMON —  The  sun! 

(Enter  Colonel  Collar  do  and  soldiers} 
GOLLARDO —  The  fatal  hour  has  come. 

The  bandages — 

(He  offers  them  bandages  for  the  eyes} 
MAXIMILIAN —  I  thank  you,  no. 

MEJIA —  'Twere  strange, 

When  here  upon  the  floor  the  pieces  lie 
Of  what  had  oped  the  doors,  if  we  had  wished, 
I  then  should  screen  my  vision  from  the  guns. 
Let  old  Juarez  keep  them — he  may  need  them. 
MIRAMON — Long  live  the  emperor! 

(Refuses  also} 

MAXIMILIAN — (  To  Miramon}  To  you  belongs 

The  place  of  honor. 

GOLLARDO — (  To  some  of  the  soldiers}       Take  out  the  two. 
( Some  of  the  soldiers  escort  Miramon  and  Mejia  out} 
MAXIMILIAN —  Good  Basch. 

( Basch  kneels  and  kisses  his  hand} 
Farewell — my  prince. 

(  Prince  Salm  kneels  and  kisses  his  hand} 
Farewell — good  father. 

(  The  priest  kneels  and  kisses  bis  hand.      They  all 

weep} 
Be  brave.     Arise. 

(They  all  arise} 

PRINCE  SALM —  My  emperor  farewell — 

I'll  follow  you  'till  death. 

(  The  priest  holds  up  the  crucifix  and  goes  out. 


154  MAXIMILIAN 

followed  by  Dr.  Basch  and  Prince  Salm.     The 
soldiers  go  out  and  stand  at  the  door  followed 
by  Go  liar  do  who  also  stands  at  the  door — ) 
( Maximilian  walks  towards  the  door,  stops  and 
endeavors  to  master  his  feelings.      Then  with 
a    look  of  inexpressible   sorrow  he    lifts  his 
hand  solemnly  and  says) 
MAXIMILIAN — Oh,  man!      Oh,  man! 

(  He  goes  out.  The  convent  bells  ring  and  through 
the  open  door  and  the  window  appears  the  city, 
bathed  in  the  morning  sun-light.  There  is 
a  general  ringing  of  bells ,  and  now  very  sud 
denly  but  with  a  slinking  movement,  Lopez 
enters,  pale  and  nervous,  he  walks  about  rap 
idly  in  a  distracted  manner  muttering  to 
himself.  Then  he  goes  to  the  window  and 
clutches  at  the  window  frames') 
LOPEZ — I  will  not  see  it. 

{He  stabs  himself  and  dies.  The  bells  continue  to 
ring.  Enter  Gen.  Escobedo  who  goes  to  the 
window,  and  not  seeing  Lopez's  body  steps 
upon  it) 

ESCOBEDO —  Ha!  the  renegade — 

And  dead! 

(  He  looks  out  of  the  window.      Enter    Carlotta 
from  the  chamber  and  goes  up  to  the  table} 
CARLOTTA — The  bells!  the  bells! 

{A  sound  of  musketry} 

ESCOBEDO — {Not  seeing  Carlotta}      Thus  are  the  roots  of 
liberty  refreshed! 

Carlotta  kneels,  folds  her  arms  upon  the  table  and 
bows  her  head  in  her  arms  as  if  in  prayer} 

CURTAIN 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWE1 
LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


UiUJUATIQN  DEPT. 


General  Library     _ 
University  of  California 
Berkeley 


U.C.BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


CDMEfl^fiB? 


M542541 


